Seattle @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 1, 2013 ) Seattle 4, Minnesota 5

Jeremy Bonderman will make his first major-league start in 2 1/2 years when the Seattle Mariners and host Minnesota Twins meet in Sunday’s series finale. Bonderman, who saw his career derailed by elbow and shoulder surgeries, signed a minor-league deal with the Mariners in the offseason. “He’s under control, but you can tell he’s excited to be here,” Seattle manager Eric Wedge said. “For a 30-year-old, he’s been through so much.”

Minnesota has won five of six after a dramatic three-run rally in the ninth inning on Saturday. Mariners closer Tom Wilhelmsen blew his third save in his last four opportunities after Ryan Doumit delivered a two-run triple to cap the 5-4 win. Seattle outfielder Jason Bay has four homers in his last five games after belting two on Saturday for the 17th multi-homer game of his career.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), Fox Sports North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Jeremy Bonderman (NR) vs. Twins LH Scott Diamond (3-4, 5.22)

Bonderman won 50 games from 2004-07 with the Detroit Tigers and has a 67-77 overall mark. He was 2-4 with a 4.52 ERA in 11 starts at Triple-A Tacoma and replaces demoted rookie Brandon Maurer in the rotation. Bonderman is 5-6 with a 5.75 ERA in 19 career appearances (17 starts) against Minnesota.

Diamond is 0-2 with an 8.41 ERA over his last four outings and last won on May 7. He has allowed 34 hits – including five homers – in 20 1/3 innings over his porous stretch. Diamond is 0-1 with a 4.61 ERA in two career starts against Seattle.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle SS Brendan Ryan is 5-for-6 with two doubles against Diamond.

2. Doumit matched his season best with three hits in Saturday’s contest.

3. Mariners OF Michael Morse (quadriceps) is expected to miss his fifth straight game - but could return to the lineup within the next few days.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Mariners 3