Baltimore @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 19, 2012 ) Baltimore 3, Seattle 1

The Baltimore Orioles arrive in Seattle for Monday’s opener of the three-game series intent on once again dominating the Mariners. Baltimore won eight of nine meetings last season and had a 5-1 mark at Safeco Field. The Orioles have won eight of their last 11 games after losing in 10 innings to the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. Seattle beat the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 to take three of four and win a series for the first time this season.

The Mariners won the finale against the Angels on solo homers by Jason Bay and Michael Morse. The decisive shot by Morse was his seventh of the campaign but his first since April 9. Inconsistent Seattle starter Joe Saunders has fared well against Baltimore with a 5-0 mark in seven career outings. The Orioles took a two-run lead into the bottom of the ninth in the series finale against Oakland before falling and losing their second consecutive extra-inning contest after winning their previous 17 such games. Third baseman Manny Machado and outfielder Nate McLouth each had four hits and first baseman Chris Davis hit his ninth homer.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles LH Zach Britton (2012: 5-3, 5.07 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Joe Saunders (1-3, 6.33)

Britton is making his first major-league appearance of the season after being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. He had a 1-0 mark and 1.98 ERA in three outings in the minors. He went 5-3 for the Orioles last season after going 11-11 in 2011. He has a 2.57 ERA in two career no-decision starts against Seattle.

Saunders has been torched in each of his past two starts, giving up 15 runs and 20 hits in 9 2/3 innings. He allowed up eight runs and 11 hits in five innings against the Houston Astros in his last outing. Saunders didn’t give up an earned run in 13 1/3 innings over his his second and third starts before losing his groove. He has a 4.73 ERA in 40 career innings against the Orioles.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore outscored Seattle 49-29 in last season’s nine meetings.

2. Davis has fanned six times while going 2-for-13 with a homer against Saunders.

3. Mariners 3B Kyle Seager went hitless in four at-bats on Sunday to end a career-best 16-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Orioles 7, Mariners 5