Toronto @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 5, 2013 ) Toronto 3, Seattle 1

Felix Hernandez attempts to stretch a 12-start unbeaten streak when the Seattle Mariners host the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday in the middle contest of a three-game series. Hernandez has allowed two runs in 30 innings over his last four starts and also stymied Toronto back on May 3, when he scattered five hits in eight scoreless innings. Toronto’s Josh Johnson has lost six consecutive starts and may need a strong outing to keep his spot in the rotation.

Johnson has been a huge disappointment since being acquired in the major offseason deal with the Miami Marlins that led to many prognosticators tabbing the Blue Jays as a bona fide contender in the American League East. Instead, Toronto is in last place in the division and not even a factor in the wild-card race. Both the Blue Jays and Mariners have identical 52-60 records; Seattle has lost seven of 10 games after playing well for a large portion of July.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Josh Johnson (1-8, 6.60 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (11-4, 2.30)

Johnson has a 14.06 ERA over his last four starts and failed to make it through the third inning in two of them. He has taken his lumps on the road with an 0-5 mark and 9.00 ERA in six starts. Opposing hitters are batting .307 against Johnson.

Hernandez allowed one run and six hits in seven innings against Boston in his last outing but didn’t get a victory as the Red Sox scored six runs in the ninth against the Seattle bullpen. The AL ERA leader has allowed two or fewer runs in each of his last seven starts. Hernandez is 4-4 with a 4.52 ERA in 10 career starts against the Blue Jays.

WALK-OFFS

1. 1B Justin Smoak homered for the lone Seattle run in Monday’s 3-1 loss and is 10-for-22 during a six-game hitting streak.

2. Blue Jays 3B Brett Lawrie had three hits and is 12-for-29 during an eight-game hitting streak.

3. Mariners OF Raul Ibanez has 24 homers but hasn’t hit one in his last 17 appearances.

PREDICTION: Mariners 6, Blue Jays 1