Milwaukee @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 9, 2013 ) Milwaukee 10, Seattle 5

The Milwaukee Brewers equaled their best offensive performance in nearly two months in the series opener and strive to score often again on Saturday, when they visit the Seattle Mariners in the second contest of the three-game set. Milwaukee scored 10 runs for the first time since June 12 in a 10-5 victory that featured a grand slam by former Mariner Yuniesky Betancourt. Seattle made three errors en route to its 10th loss in 15 games.

Norichika Aoki had three RBIs on Friday as a Milwaukee lineup without Ryan Braun, Aramis Ramirez and Rickie Weeks bashed Mariners pitching. Seattle's Kendrys Morales was hitless in four at-bats after being a torrid 20-for-38 over his previous nine games. Third baseman Kyle Seager is in a fielding slump, experiencing his second two-error outing in the last three games.

TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers LH Tom Gorzelanny (2-4, 2.78 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Hisashi Iwakuma (10-5, 2.75)

Gorzelanny left his last start on August 2 in the second inning against the Washington Nationals after being hit on his left wrist by a line drive. X-rays were negative and he missed one start before being cleared to pitch against the Mariners. Gorzelanny has lost four of his last five decisions.

Iwakuma lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in his last outing, when he gave up two runs and four hits in 7 1/3 innings. He has allowed just seven earned runs in 33 frames over his last five starts. Iwakuma is holding opponents to a .191 average in 13 home starts while going 5-2 with a 2.48 ERA and 0.78 WHIP.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle is inducting former star Ken Griffey Jr. into the franchise Hall of Fame prior to Saturday’s game.

2. Brewers C Jonathan Lucroy is 3-for-26 over the last seven games after going hitless in five at-bats in the opener.

3. Mariners 1B Justin Smoak is batting .394 with three homers during a nine-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Brewers 3, Mariners 2