Minnesota @ Seattle preview

Minnesota at Seattle

Last Meeting ( Jul 25, 2013 ) Minnesota 2, Seattle 8

The Seattle Mariners attempt to continue their recent surge when they continue their four-game home set against the Minnesota Twins on Friday. Rookie Nick Franklin capped a six-run second inning with a three-run homer and Hisashi Iwakuma tossed six scoreless frames en route to his 10th victory as Seattle cruised to its ninth win in 10 contests Friday. The Mariners have won six of seven home games since allowing a total of 30 runs in three straight losses to the American League East-leading Boston Red Sox from July 9-11.

Minnesota has lost two in a row after winning six of its previous seven. The Twins avoided a second consecutive shutout defeat Thursday by scoring a pair of runs with two outs in the ninth inning. Minnesota, 2-2 on its seven-game road trip, still is without Joe Mauer as the All-Star catcher remained home to be with his wife following the birth of their twin daughters.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Scott Diamond (5-9, 5.53 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (11-4, 2.43)

Diamond fell to 0-3 over his last five starts after surrendering six runs -- five earned -- in 4 2/3 innings of a loss to the Cleveland Indians on Sunday. The 26-year-old Canadian, who has won only one of his last six decisions, has yielded six runs in two of his last three outings. Diamond evened his career record against Seattle at 1-1 on June 2, when he scattered four hits over six scoreless frames.

Hernandez has won each of his last six decisions and has not allowed a run in his last 16 innings. The 27-year-old Venezuelan, who has yielded fewer than three runs in eight of his last 10 starts, has not lost since falling to Texas on May 25. Hernandez has a 2.17 ERA in 14 career outings against the Twins but has just a 6-5 record to show for it.

WALK-OFFS

1. Hernandez enters having worked 24 consecutive scoreless innings versus Minnesota.

2. The Mariners have won six straight home games against the Twins.

3. Seattle rookie C Mike Zunino left Thursday's game after four innings after taking a foul tip off his left hand.

PREDICTION: Mariners 6, Twins 2