Texas @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 21, 2013 ) Seattle 3, Texas 11

Joe Saunders is a pretty good person for the Seattle Mariners to have on the mound Friday, when they attempt to snap a six-game skid as they entertain the Texas Rangers. Saunders is 3-0 with a 0.94 ERA in four starts at Safeco Field this season, allowing three earned runs in 28 2/3 innings. Seattle has been outscored 46-16 during its losing streak. Texas has fared well against left-handers this season, posting an 11-5 mark.

The Mariners and Rangers split four games in Seattle in April before Texas dominated its American League West rival in a three-game sweep in Arlington the following week, outscoring the Mariners 23-3. The Rangers have won 10 of their last 14 games but lost two of three to the Oakland Athletics earlier this week. Seattle was outscored 19-1 in losing two consecutive games to the Los Angeles Angels and then demoted catcher Jesus Montero to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday. Montero is hitting .208 when three homers and nine RBIs.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, KTXA (Texas), ROOT Sports (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Justin Grimm (3-3, 4.02 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Joe Saunders (3-4, 5.64)

Grimm is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in two starts this season against Seattle. He struck out nine in six innings when he defeated the Mariners on April 21. Grimm snapped a three-game slide by beating the Detroit Tigers in his last outing, allowing two runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 frames.

Saunders had a strong home start against Texas on April 13 but was rocked by the Rangers in Arlington six days later. He gave up three hits and one unearned run in seven innings in a no-decision in Seattle and allowed seven runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 frames in the road loss. Saunders is 3-8 with a 6.30 ERA in 13 career starts against Texas. He received a no-decision against the Cleveland Indians in his last outing after yielding four runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas is 22-5 when holding opponents to three or fewer runs.

2. Mariners OF Michael Saunders went 5-for-36 on the road trip, dropping his average 50 points to .236.

3. Rangers C A.J. Pierzynski is batting .368 with two homers and five RBIs against Seattle this season.

PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Mariners 3