Seattle @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 1, 2013 ) Seattle 2, Oakland 0

The Seattle Mariners expect to be a much-improved team this season and look for their second straight victory over the host Oakland Athletics on Tuesday. Seattle won Monday’s opener 2-0 behind Felix Hernandez’s strong pitching so the real test is putting together another strong showing without its $175 million ace on the mound. Oakland had three hits and was stymied most of the night. The Athletics are attempting to defend their surprise American League West title.

Designated hitter Seth Smith had two of Oakland’s three hits in the opener. Smith batted just .240 last season and struck out a career-worst 98 times. The Athletics acquired outfielder Chris Young from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the off-season and he didn’t get into the opener. Seattle opted to employ center fielder Franklin Gutierrez as its leadoff hitter and Gutierrez delivered a two-run single for the game’s only runs. The defensive standout has had trouble staying healthy in recent seasons and had only 150 at-bats last season.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Seattle), Comcast SportsNet California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Hisashi Iwakuma (2012: 9-5, 3.16 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Jarrod Parker (13-8, 3.47 ERA)

Iwakuma excelled after the All-Star break with an 8-4 record and 2.50 ERA in 15 starts. His biggest chore will be improving when he doesn’t pitch at home as he had a 4.20 road ERA in his first major-league season. Iwakuma was 0-2 with a 6.14 ERA in two appearances (one start) against Oakland.

Parker had a fine rookie season and remained healthy with 29 starts, second on the squad behind Tommy Milone. He endured a rough August in which batters touched him up for a .301 average but bounced back strong in September with a 2.31 ERA in 35 innings. Parker was 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two starts against Seattle.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland’s Opening Day defeat was its ninth in a row, an American League record.

2. Athletics C John Jaso received a Rolex watch from Hernandez prior to Monday’s game. Jaso caught Hernandez’s perfect game against Tampa Bay last season.

3. Mariners 1B Kendrys Morales is 5-for-12 against Parker.

PREDICTION: Athletics 7, Mariners 5