Los Angeles @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 26, 2013 ) LA Angels 6, Seattle 3

Felix Hernandez was pounded hard by Los Angeles hitters last season and the Seattle ace hopes to have better success on Saturday when the Mariners host the Angels in the third contest of the four-game series. Hernandez was 0-3 with a 6.25 ERA in five starts against the Angels last season to drop his career mark to 6-12 in 30 career outings against Los Angeles. Angels outfielder Mike Trout is 10-for-24 with a homer and eight RBIs against Hernandez.

The teams have split the first two games after Hank Conger and Mark Trumbo each hit two-run homers to lead the Angels to a 6-3 victory on Friday. Trumbo has reached base in all 22 games, the longest such streak to open a season by an Angels’ player since Darin Erstad reached in 27 in a row in 2000 to set a franchise record. Seattle hasn’t won back-to-back games since beginning the season with two victories against Oakland and failed in its latest attempt by leaving 13 runners on base. One of the opportunities squandered involved slow-footed Justin Smoak trying to score from second on an infield single by Dustin Ackley and being thrown out at the plate by Los Angeles second baseman Howie Kendrick to end the eighth inning.

TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports West (Los Angeles), ROOT Sports (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Joe Blanton (0-3, 7.84 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (2-2, 2.08)

Blanton has allowed at least four runs in each of his four starts. He has allowed a whopping 38 hits in 20 2/3 innings, including six homers. Blanton took a no-decision in his last start when he gave up four runs and 12 hits in six innings against the Texas Rangers. He is 8-5 with a 3.50 ERA in 15 career starts against Seattle.

Hernandez has allowed 22 homers and has a 4.07 ERA against the Angels. He struck out nine while pitching six innings of five-hit shutout ball against the Houston Astros in his last outing. Hernandez has struck out 37 and walked six in 34 2/3 innings. Opposing hitters are 3-for-33 with runners in scoring position in Hernandez’s five starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels OF Josh Hamilton is 8-for-48 with one homer and 16 strikeouts against Hernandez.

2. Mariners 3B Kyle Seager went 1-for-5 with three strikeouts Friday while extending his hitting streak to 15 games.

3. Seattle OF Jason Bay batted leadoff for the first time in his career and went 1-for-4. The contest was the 1,228th of Bay’s career.

PREDICTION: Angels 7, Mariners 3