Seattle @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 25, 2013 ) Seattle 16, Cincinnati 0

Aaron Harang pitches against his former organization when the Seattle Mariners visit the Cincinnati Reds on Friday in the first contest of a three-game set. Harang won 75 games for Cincinnati from 2003-10, twice winning 16 games, and he finished fourth in 2007 National League Cy Young Award balloting. Seattle outfielder Raul Ibanez continues to make a bid for the American League All-Star team and went 4-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs in Thursday’s loss to Texas.

The 41-year-old Ibanez has 21 homers and stands eight shy of Ted Williams’ record for players 41 years or older. Cincinnati’s Thursday game against the San Francisco Giants was postponed due to rain and scheduled starter Mike Leake was pushed back a day to start against the Mariners. The Reds won three straight games against San Francisco prior to the rainout and have won six of their last eight home games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Aaron Harang (3-7, 5.08 ERA) vs. RH Mike Leake (7-3, 2.52)

Harang is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two career starts against Cincinnati. He is winless in three outings since tossing a two-hit shutout against the Houston Astros on June 11. Harang is 0-4 with a 6.75 ERA in five road starts this season.

Leake is 5-1 with a 1.31 ERA over his last nine starts. He has allowed five or fewer hits five times during the stretch. Leake has never faced Seattle.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners CF Michael Saunders (finger) is expected back in the starting lineup Friday. He has been limited to spot duty since being spiked on June 26.

2. The Reds are 29-14 at home while Seattle is 16-26 on the road.

3. Seattle OF Michael Morse (quadriceps) is eligible to come off the disabled list Friday but will go on a minor-league rehab stint before he rejoins the team.

PREDICTION: Reds 8, Mariners 1