Baltimore @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 29, 2013 ) Baltimore 2, Seattle 6

Jason Bay is trying to revive his career with the Seattle Mariners and aims to continue a hot streak in Tuesday’s contest with the visiting Baltimore Orioles. Bay went 3-for-4 as Seattle downed Baltimore 6-2 on Monday and is 7-for-14 over his last four games. The veteran outfielder had eight homers and 20 RBIs for the New York Mets last season after hitting 20 or more homers in six straight seasons earlier in his career.

Baltimore won eight of nine against Seattle last season but is 0-1 in 2013 after being shut down by Joe Saunders in the opener. The Orioles had four hits while suffering their second straight loss. Baltimore had won eight of 10 before blowing a ninth-inning lead and losing to the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. Seattle has won three straight games and four of five after winning Monday’s opener. Outfielder Michael Saunders came off the disabled list and led off the game with a homer to set the tone. The Mariners have four leadoff homers this season – three by Franklin Gutierrez – and need more one to tie the franchise record.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network 2 (Baltimore), ROOT Sports (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Jason Hammel (3-1, 3.82 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Brandon Maurer (2-3, 5.61)

Hammel has pitched at least six innings in all five of his starts. He defeated the Oakland Athletics in his last outing when he allowed three hits and two unearned runs in six innings. Hammel has limited opposing hitters to a .227 average this season, 50 points less than his career average. He is 1-1 with a 3.79 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) against Seattle.

Maurer has pitched superbly in his last two outings. He tossed 6 1/3 shutout innings while beating the Los Angeles Angels in his last start after allowing two runs and two hits in 6 2/3 innings while falling to the Texas Rangers in the previous one. Maurer has allowed four earned runs over his last three starts after allowing 12 in his first two. He has walked six in 25 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mariners went 1-5 at home against Baltimore last season.

2. Orioles C Matt Wieters hit a two-run homer Monday, his first extra-base hit since April 18.

3. Seattle 3B Kyle Seager had two hits in the opener for his seventh multi-hit outing of the season.

PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Mariners 4