Los Angeles @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 23, 2013 ) LA Angels 2, Seattle 0

Mike Trout has returned to Los Angeles' lineup and will attempt to start another streak of consecutive games reaching base safely when the Angels visit the Seattle Mariners on Saturday. Trout missed three straight contests with a hamstring injury and went 0-for-4 in his return Friday, ending a streak of 40 straight games of reaching base - the second-longest run in franchise history. Seattle was on the losing side of a 2-0 final in the opener.

Mariners manager Eric Wedge was back in the dugout for Friday’s opener after suffering a stroke prior to a game on July 22. Seattle collected only five hits while being blanked and has scored two or fewer runs in seven of its last 16 contests. Chris Nelson hit a two-run homer for the only runs as the Angels won for just the fifth time in 18 games.

TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Jason Vargas (6-5, 3.92 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Erasmo Ramirez (4-0, 5.95)

Vargas is 1-1 with a 2.40 ERA in two starts against his former club. He struck out a season-high nine in seven innings while beating the Mariners on June 17, when he allowed two runs and four hits. Vargas is 0-1 with a 6.52 ERA in two outings since returning from an eight-week absence due to a blood clot in his left armpit.

Ramirez is coming off a strong outing against Texas in which he gave up two runs (one earned) and four hits over seven innings in a no-decision. He has struck out 16 and issued just two walks over his last 20 frames. Ramirez lost his lone career start against the Angels last September, when he allowed five runs (three earned) and seven hits in six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners SS Brad Nelson was 2-for-4 on Friday and has four two-hit performances in his last 10 games.

2. Friday’s homer is Chris Nelson’s only hit in 21 at-bats over his last five contests.

3. Seattle 2B Nick Franklin (knee laceration) has missed consecutive games.

PREDICTION: Mariners 4, Angels 2