San Diego @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 22, 2013 ) Seattle 3, San Diego 1

The Seattle Mariners have finally put an ugly eight-game losing skid behind them and strive to tack on some wins when they open a stretch of four consecutive games against the San Diego Padres on Monday. Seattle hosts the Padres for two games before the scene shifts to San Diego. The Mariners snapped their skid with Sunday’s 13-inning victory over the Texas Rangers. The Padres have lost four of five games after falling to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.

San Diego’s Clayton Richard will return from a bout with an intestinal virus to make his first start since May 4. Richard was sapped of his strength due to the ailment and made some mechanical changes during two minor-league rehab outings. Padres outfielder Carlos Quentin hit a two-run homer in Sunday’s loss and went 6-for-11 in the three-game series with the Diamondbacks. Seattle was outscored 60-23 during its lengthy skid before the much-needed 4-3 victory on Sunday. Outfielder Jason Bay provided the game-winning hit with a broken-bat single. First baseman Kendrys Morales doubled and scored the winning run and also hit a two-run homer as part of a three-hit afternoon.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports San Diego, ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Clayton Richard (0-4, 8.54 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Aaron Harang (1-5, 8.58)

Richard was hit hard while losing three straight starts prior to going on the disabled list. He gave up 16 earned runs and 20 hits in 11 innings during the stretch. Richard has allowed seven homers in 26 1/3 innings. He is 4-1 with a 2.33 ERA in six career starts against Seattle.

Harang was torched for seven runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings by the Los Angeles Angels in losing his last outing. He has pitched five innings or fewer in four of his six starts. Opposing hitters are batting .317 with eight homers in 28 1/3 innings against Harang. He is 5-5 with a 3.75 ERA in 16 career appearances (15 starts) against the Padres, for whom he went 14-7 in 2011.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego is expected to activate C Yasmani Grandal on Tuesday when he completes a 50-game suspension due to testing positive for testosterone.

2. Seattle 1B Justin Smoak is day-to-day with an oblique injury suffered Saturday.

3. Padres SS Everth Cabrera is 4-for-10 with two walks against Harang.

PREDICTION: Mariners 7, Padres 6