Milwaukee @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 6, 2013 ) Milwaukee 7, Seattle 6

The Milwaukee Brewers continue a stretch in which they play 16 of 19 contests on the road by visiting the Seattle Mariners on Friday in the opener of a three-game series. Milwaukee split four meetings in San Francisco and has a 7-7 record with five games remaining during the arduous sequence. Seattle has floundered to a 5-9 mark since showing signs of life with an eight-game winning streak and remains without manager Eric Wedge (stroke).

Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks was placed on the disabled list Thursday with a hamstring injury and Scooter Gennett was recalled from Triple-A Nashville to share the position with Jeff Bianchi. Shortstop Jean Segura stole his 32nd base in Thursday’s loss to the San Francisco Giants and Milwaukee had two overall to raise its major league-leading total to 103. Mariners designated hitter Kendrys Morales is swinging a torrid bat – going 20-for-38 over his last nine games and batting .390 in 19 games since the All-Star break.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Kyle Lohse (7-7, 3.23 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Joe Saunders (10-10, 4.58)

Lohse is 2-0 over his last four outings, allowing just three earned runs during the stretch. He has given up 20 homers but only one during his recent string of stellar outings. Lohse is 2-5 with a 4.45 ERA in 10 career starts against Seattle.

Saunders has won five of his last seven starts, giving up a total of seven earned runs in the victories. He defeated Baltimore in his last outing when he allowed two runs and eight hits in six innings. Saunders is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in two career starts against Milwaukee.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Brewers are 40-0 when leading after eight innings – the only undefeated team in the majors in that situation.

2. Seattle 1B Justin Smoak is batting .400 with two homers during an eight-game hitting streak.

3. Milwaukee 3B Aramis Ramirez (knee) could be activated from the disabled list during the series.

PREDICTION: Brewers 3, Mariners 2