Los Angeles @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 25, 2013 ) LA Angels 0, Seattle 6

The Seattle Mariners have won more games than the Los Angeles Angels entering Friday’s second contest of a four-game set at Safeco Field. The young Mariners blanked the high-payroll Angels 6-0 on Thursday for their ninth victory. The Angels have eight and are 2-7 on the road. Albert Pujols hasn’t homered since April 6, but has five homers and 14 RBIs in 73 career at-bats against Seattle starter Aaron Harang.

Pujols played first base Thursday for the first time since April 15 because of a persistent bout of plantar fasciitis. He had served as the designated hitter in the previous seven games and doesn’t like it. “Being on the bench, it’s almost like you’re not in the game sometimes,” Pujols said. Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager had three hits, including a homer, and three RBIs in the opener to extend his hitting streak to 14 games. Seager is batting. 412 during the stretch. Outfielder Carlos Peguero hit a 451-foot homer, third-longest in Safeco Field history behind Barry Bonds (462 feet in 2006) and Raul Ibanez (460, 2007).

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports West (Los Angeles), ROOT Sports (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH C.J. Wilson (1-0, 4.13 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Aaron Harang (0-2, 10.24)

Wilson has pitched six innings in each of his four starts. He hasn’t given up more than six hits in any outing but has walked 15 in 24 innings. Wilson went 2-0 with a 3.06 ERA in three starts against Seattle last season. He has a 3.09 ERA and 6-3 record in 27 career appearances (nine starts) at Safeco Field.

Harang was hit hard by the Texas Rangers in his last outing when he allowed eight runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. He gave up three homers and has allowed four in his first two starts with Seattle. Harang was acquired from the Colorado Rockies shortly after the season began. He is 0-1 with a 4.30 ERA in three career starts against the Angels.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seager is 1-for-13 against Wilson.

2. Angels OF Mike Trout had a single Thursday and is 1-for-14 over the last four games.

3. Seattle’s Kendrys Morales went 1-for-4 and hit into two double plays in his first game against his former club.

PREDICTION: Angels 9, Mariners 4