Seattle @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 19, 2013 ) Seattle 1, Oakland 2

Brandon Moss, who had been struggling with his power stroke, picked a solid time to find it in the opener of a three-game series against Seattle. The Oakland first baseman hit a walkoff blast in the ninth to give the Athletics a 2-1 victory Monday against the Mariners for just his second homer since July 23. Seattle tries to even the set Tuesday behind Oakland-slayer Joe Saunders, who is 15-6 against the Athletics.

Oakland has won four of its last five games and trails Texas by a half-game in the American League West while owning a four-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles for the second wild-card spot. The Mariners have lost four of their last six contests and Monday’s game marked the 10th time they have suffered a walkoff defeat this season. Seattle has scored four or fewer runs in eight of its last nine outings.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), CSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Joe Saunders (10-12, 4.86 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Sonny Gray (1-1, 1.00)

Saunders defeated Oakland on June 14 when he gave up one run and five hits in seven innings to continue his career-long dominance. He is 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in three starts against the Athletics this season and has a 3.36 ERA in 23 career outings against them. Saunders is currently in a rut, having lost four of his last five starts, and has a 7.77 ERA during the stretch.

Gray earned his first major-league victory in his last outing when he defeated the Houston Astros. He struck out nine and gave up only four hits while tossing eight standout innings. Gray has struck out 20 and allowed 10 hits in 18 big-league innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland OF Yoenis Cespedes has hit 10 of his 43 career homers against the Mariners.

2. Seattle OF Michael Morse has missed back-to-back games with a sore left wrist.

3. Athletics OF Coco Crisp is batting .300 with one homer and six doubles in 30 career at-bats against Saunders.

PREDICTION: Athletics 4, Mariners 3