Los Angeles @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 24, 2013 ) LA Angels 5, Seattle 1

The Seattle Mariners have scored one run while losing back-to-back games to Los Angeles and now have to deal with Angels ace Jered Weaver in Sunday’s finale of the three-game set. Seattle was blanked on five hits in Friday’s opener and its only run in the second game crossed on Nick Franklin’s infield out. Mike Trout hit his 22nd homer Saturday as Los Angeles won for only the sixth time in 19 games.

Justin Smoak homered and had four RBIs when Seattle posted a 6-0 victory over Weaver on July 13. The Mariners have scored two or fewer runs in eight of their last 17 games as offensive production continues to be an issue that prevents the franchise from making progress. Los Angeles outfielder J.B. Shuck had three hits Saturday for his seventh multi-hit outing in his last 14 games.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jered Weaver (7-7, 3.62 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Aaron Harang (5-10, 5.49)

Weaver has allowed 13 runs and 17 hits in 11 innings while losing back-to-back decisions. He gave up nine runs against the New York Yankees on August 14 – matching a career worst – before falling to the Cleveland Indians in his last outing. Weaver gave up four runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings in last month’s loss to Seattle to drop to 12-8 with a 3.32 ERA in 26 career outings against the Mariners.

Harang has experienced nothing but troubles against the Angels this season, going 0-3 and allowing 16 runs (13 earned) and 26 hits in 11 2/3 innings. He failed to make it out of the fourth inning in two of the outings and is 0-4 with a 6.84 ERA in six career starts against Los Angeles. Harang took a no-decision against Oakland in his last turn when he gave up one run and five hits in seven innings to extend his winless streak to five starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners DH Kendrys Morales hit into his 19th double play on Saturday, second in the American League behind Kansas City’s Billy Butler (20).

2. Angels OF Josh Hamilton is 5-for-7 with two homers and four RBIs against Harang this season.

3. Seattle OF Raul Ibanez is batting .455 with four homers and three doubles against Weaver.

PREDICTION: Angels 8, Mariners 2