Seattle @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 30, 2012 ) Seattle 5, Minnesota 4

The Seattle Mariners aren’t known for their offensive prowess, but they hit a season-high five home runs against the San Diego Padres on Thursday. The Mariners aim to continue their power surge when they begin a three-game road series against the Minnesota Twins on Friday. Rookie Nick Franklin hit his first two career homers to lead the Seattle charge. Minnesota also put on a power display with four homers in Thursday’s 8-6 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Twins have won five of their last six contests after enduring a 10-game losing streak. Brian Dozier, Joe Mauer and Ryan Doumit all homered in the fourth inning of Thursday’s game and Chris Parmelee went deep in the previous frame. Minnesota scored 24 runs while winning four straight against the Brewers. Seattle also recently ended a lengthy skid. The Mariners lost eight in a row before winning three of their next five. Endy Chavez, Kendrys Morales and Brendan Ryan also homered in Thursday’s 7-1 win over the Padres.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Seattle), FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Hisashi Iwakuma (5-1, 2.35 ERA) vs. Twins RH Mike Pelfrey (3-5, 6.85)

Iwakuma went 2-0 against Minnesota last season, allowing just two unearned runs and five hits in 13 innings. He has yielded two earned runs or fewer in eight of his last nine starts. Iwakuma settled for a no-decision against the Texas Rangers in his last outing after striking out eight while giving up two runs and five hits in eight innings. Opponents are batting .194 against him.

Pelfrey has surrendered 12 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings over his last three starts. He is 1-4 in his last seven after winning two of his first three outings. Opposing hitters are batting .333 against Pelfrey, who never has faced the Mariners.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mauer has a .349 career average against Seattle but batted just .225 in 40 at-bats versus the Mariners in 2012.

2. Mariners OF Michael Morse (quadriceps) will join the team in Minnesota after being injured in a home game on Tuesday. He could return to the lineup over the weekend.

3. Minnesota 3B Trevor Plouffe (calf) was placed on the disabled list on Thursday, one day after returning from a concussion.

PREDICTION: Mariners 6, Twins 4