Los Angeles @ Seattle preview
Safeco Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 12, 2013 ) LA Angels 3, Seattle 8
The Los Angeles Angels will attempt to pull the plug on the host Seattle Mariners' power when the American League West rivals square off Saturday in the middle contest of their three-game set. Seattle went deep four times in Friday's series-opening 8-3 victory, setting a franchise record by homering in its 20th consecutive contest. Raul Ibanez led the charge with two blasts for the Mariners, who became the first AL team to homer in 20 straight games since the Texas Rangers put together a major league-record 27-game streak in 2002.
The Angels hope to bounce back from just their fourth loss in 15 contests. They were unable to overcome another poor effort from Jerome Williams, who has surrendered a total of 18 runs in eight innings over his last three starts. Los Angeles didn't lose any ground in the division, however, remaining nine games out of first place as the Oakland Athletics also were defeated Friday.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), ROOT Sports (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jered Weaver (3-4, 3.38 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (9-4, 2.69)
Weaver has been sensational in his last three starts, allowing a total of two runs over 20 2/3 innings. The 30-year-old improved to 2-0 in that span Sunday when he scattered five hits over 6 2/3 scoreless frames against the Boston Red Sox. Weaver, who is 0-2 in four road starts this season, has posted a 12-7 record and 3.21 ERA in 25 career outings versus Seattle.
Hernandez also defeated Boston his last time out, limiting the Red Sox to two runs and six hits over seven innings Monday. The 27-year-old Venezuelan has gone 4-0 while allowing two runs or fewer six times over his last eight starts. Hernandez is a disappointing 7-12 lifetime against the Angels, who reached the former Cy Young Award winner for seven runs - six earned - and 12 hits over five innings on June 20.
WALK-OFFS
1. The 41-year-old Ibanez has 24 home runs this season, five away from matching the record for a player of that age set in 1960 by Ted Williams. Ibanez is 10 blasts shy of tying his career high set in 2009 while with Philadelphia.
2. Seattle 3B Kyle Seager extended his hitting streak to 12 games Friday with a leadoff homer in the second inning.
3. Angels RHP Tommy Hanson (forearm) is scheduled to throw a simulated game Saturday.
PREDICTION: Mariners 4, Angels 2