Oakland @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( May 11, 2013 ) Oakland 4, Seattle 3

The Oakland Athletics ended a season-worst, five-game slide Saturday and hope their slump is over as they complete a three-game series against the host Seattle Mariners on Sunday. Oakland had dipped below .500 when it lost the series opener and trails the Texas Rangers by five games in the American League West. Seattle starter Joe Saunders is 13-6 in 21 career starts against Oakland despite losing to the Athletics on April 3.

Seattle had won eight of 11 games prior to Saturday’s 4-3 loss. The Mariners had the bases loaded in the eighth and two runners on in the ninth and came up empty on both occasions. Seattle cleanup hitter Michael Morse is 1-for-18 over the last five games. Oakland is 3-6 on a 10-game road trip that concludes Sunday. The Athletics have scored only 24 runs during the excursion while leadoff hitter Coco Crisp (hamstring) and power hitter Josh Reddick (wrist) remain sidelined with injuries.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet California (Oakland), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Tommy Milone (3-4, 3.13 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Joe Saunders (2-4, 6.15)

Milone has lost four straight starts despite not giving up an earned run in two of them. He won his first three outings, including a season-opening win over the Mariners in which he gave up two runs and four hits in seven innings. Milone has 41 strikeouts against six walks in his seven starts. He is 3-1 with a 2.63 ERA in six career starts against Seattle.

Saunders gave up four runs and seven hits in four innings in his loss to the Athletics in his first outing of the season. He has lost three of his last four decisions after being touched up for seven runs and nine hits in five innings by the Toronto Blue Jays in his last start. Saunders has been terrific in three starts at Safeco Field, going 2-0 with a 0.81 ERA. He has a 3.57 career ERA against Oakland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland closer Grant Balfour is 6-for-6 in save opportunities and has converted 24 straight dating back to last season.

2. Mariners C Jesus Montero is 7-for-14 with a homer against Milone.

3. Athletics OF Chris Young (quadriceps) is slated to begin a rehab assignment as soon as Monday and could rejoin the team in the middle of the week.

PREDICTION: Mariners 4, Athletics 3