Seattle @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 14, 2013 ) Seattle 4, Tampa Bay 5

Alex Cobb was one of the top two pitchers for the Tampa Bay Rays in the first half before taking a line drive off the right ear on June 5 against Kansas City. The 25-year-old returns to a major-league mound Thursday, when the Rays host the Seattle Mariners in the rubber match of a three-game series. Cobb, who is unbeaten since April 30, looks to build off a 5-4 comeback victory Wednesday that pulled the Rays within three games of first-place Boston in the American League East.

The Mariners, in the middle of a tough road trip that also takes them to Texas and Oakland, have lost 11 of their last 17 games. Leadoff hitter Brad Miller has collected two homers, a triple and four RBIs in the series for Seattle. The Mariners will look for better efforts from their relief corps, which stands 29th overall with a 4.48 ERA.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Joe Saunders (10-11, 4.69 ERA) vs. Rays RH Alex Cobb (6-2, 3.01)

Saunders struggled in his last four starts, allowing 23 runs (16 earned) over 20 innings while going 1-3. The veteran has surrendered 169 hits, including 18 home runs, in 140 frames this season. James Loney is 8-for-27 with two homers and six RBIs versus Saunders, who yielded nine runs over 10 2/3 innings in two career starts - both losses - against the Rays.

Cobb gave up three or fewer runs in 10-of-13 starts before suffering his concussion. The Boston native struck out 76 and walked 23 over 83 2/3 innings to join Matt Moore as the Rays’ most successful pitcher over the season's first three months. Dustin Ackley is 2-for-8 with a home run against Cobb, who is 1-2 lifetime with a 3.52 ERA versus Seattle.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria had two doubles and two walks in five plate appearances Wednesday after going 6-for-44 in his previous 11 games.

2. Mariners DH Kendrys Morales is 21-for-45 with seven RBIs in 11 road games since the All-Star break.

3. The Rays have committed 43 errors, the second-fewest in the majors behind Baltimore (36).

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Mariners 4