Baltimore @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 25, 2014 ) Baltimore 2, Seattle 1

The Seattle Mariners are struggling offensively and look to get the bats moving when they host the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday in the third contest of the four-game set. Seattle has scored one run while losing the first two games of the series and has tallied just four runs during a four-game losing streak. Baltimore first baseman Chris Davis smacked the game-winning homer in Friday’s 2-1 victory as the Orioles remained three games ahead of the New York Yankees in the American League East.

Nelson Cruz often tormented the Mariners during his stint with the Texas Rangers, and the left fielder did so again with a line-drive homer off Felix Hernandez for Baltimore’s first run Friday. Cruz has hit 29 homers this season, second in the majors behind Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox. Seattle acquired designated hitter Kendrys Morales from the Minnesota Twins earlier this week, and he drove in the lone run Friday as the Mariners scored two runs or fewer for the 12th time in their last 18 games.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Bud Norris (8-6, 3.78 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Chris Young (8-6, 3.22)

Norris has won five of his last six starts, allowing one or fewer earned runs in four of them. He struck out eight while beating the Los Angeles Angels in his last turn, giving up two runs (one earned) and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings. Norris is 1-2 with a 5.09 ERA in three career starts against Seattle.

Young is 0-2 over his last three outings despite not giving up more than three runs in any of the starts. He received a no-decision in his last turn when he gave up three runs and 10 hits in six innings against the Los Angeles Angels. Young is 1-1 with a 4.70 ERA in three career starts against Baltimore.

WALK-OFFS

1. Orioles 3B Manny Machado (back) has missed four straight games but is expected to return for Saturday’s contest.

2. Seattle OF/DH Corey Hart is 5-for-18 with two homers and six RBIs against Norris.

3. Cruz has hit 21 homers against Seattle in his career but has never previously faced Young.

PREDICTION: Mariners 4, Orioles 2