Toronto @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 6, 2013 ) Toronto 7, Seattle 2

Toronto left-hander J.A. Happ is back on the mound for the first time in three months when the Blue Jays close a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. Happ was hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of Tampa Bay’s Desmond Jennings on May 7 and suffered a fractured skull. Seattle dropped the first two games and has lost eight of its last 11 contests.

The Blue Jays defeated American League ERA leader Felix Hernandez (2.39) on Tuesday, with Jose Reyes setting the tone by hitting the first pitch of the game for his 18th career leadoff homer. The Mariners committed a season-high four errors in the 7-2 loss as they slipped to nine games below .500. Toronto third baseman Brett Lawrie is 5-for-8 in the series and is 14-for-33 during a nine-game hitting streak.

TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH J.A. Happ (2-2, 4.91 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Aaron Harang (5-10, 5.27)

Happ went 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in three minor-league rehab starts before being recalled to start against Seattle. He struggled with his control prior to the injury, issuing 19 walks in 33 innings. Happ is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in four career starts against the Mariners.

Harang was rocked in his last start, allowing seven runs and seven hits in five innings against Baltimore while losing his second consecutive outing. He has allowed seven runs in two of his last four starts and has given up seven or more runs four times this season. Harang is 0-1 with a 4.97 ERA in two career starts against Toronto.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners 2B Nick Franklin is hitless in 27 at-bats since stroking a first-inning double against Boston on July 30.

2. Reyes has three consecutive two-hit games.

3. Seattle DH Kendrys Morales had two hits on Tuesday and is 18-for-34 over his last eight games.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 9, Mariners 4