Los Angeles @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 8, 2014 ) LA Angels 3, Seattle 5

The Los Angeles Angels cannot seem to beat the Seattle Mariners, but they might have a bigger problem depending on the severity of Josh Hamilton's thumb injury. Hamilton departed during the ninth inning of Tuesday's 5-3 loss in Seattle's home opener, leaving Ian Stewart to strike out as a pinch hitter with runners on first and second and none out. While X-rays were negative, manager Mike Scioscia said "it's pretty sore" and an MRI has been scheduled for Wednesday.

The Mariners swept the Angels in a three-game series and outscored them 26-8 to open the season in Anaheim and made it four straight after Corey Hart belted a pair of home runs - his first two in a Seattle uniform - after starting the season 3-for-18. "So many guys on this team have been chipping in and I haven't been one of them," Hart told reporters. "It was nice to find contact tonight and be able to help out. I was getting kind of tired watching everyone else help out." Seattle rookie Roenis Elias makes his second career start and will oppose Garrett Richards, who won his season opener despite struggling with his command.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Los Angeles RH Garrett Richards (1-0, 1.80) vs. Seattle LH Roenis Elias (0-0, 1.80)

Richards threw 100 pitches in the Angels' 11-1 victory at Houston on Friday, but only 57 for strikes as he walked five, while striking out seven and allowing one run and three hits in five innings. The 25-year-old Riverside, Calif., native is 2-2 with a 3.55 ERA in 11 appearances (three starts) against the Mariners, including a 2-0 win at Seattle on Aug. 23 when he yielded four hits in 7 2/3 innings. Kyle Seager (6-for-13) and Robinson Cano (3-for-5) have been tough outs for Richards.

Elias never pitched above Double-A before receiving a no-decision after allowing one run, two hits, three walks and striking out three in a 3-2 loss at Oakland on Thursday. The 25-year-old Cuban, a non-roster invitee to spring training, was 3-0 with a 2.38 ERA in six Cactus League appearances. Elias was an All-Star at two minor-league levels (Class-A California League in 2012 and Double-A Southern League in 2013) while compiling a 22-19 record and 3.61 ERA in the minors.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels 1B Albert Pujols became the 52nd player in major league history to reach 1,500 RBIs on Tuesday with a two-run homer, and trails only Alex Rodriguez (1,969) among active players.

2. Los Angeles DH Raul Ibanez, who played 11 seasons with Seattle and was honored prior to Tuesday's game, has hit the most homers in Safeco Field history (83).

3. Hamilton went 0-for-3 on Tuesday, but is off to a 12-for-27 start in his first eight games after going 5-for-32 after eight contests in 2013.

PREDICTION: Mariners 3, Angels 2