Seattle @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 3, 2013 ) Seattle 3, Kansas City 4

The Kansas City Royals attempt to take another step in their frantic chase for a playoff spot when they host the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday in the third contest of a four-game set. Kansas City won the first two games of the series and is on an 8-2 roll as it is within 4 1/2 games of the Tampa Bay Rays for the second American League wild-card berth. Seattle has lost nine of its last 12 games.

The promising Taijuan Walker makes his second career start for the Mariners after allowing just one unearned run in five innings while beating Houston in his debut on Friday. Seattle has scored three runs or fewer in 10 of its last 12 games. Kansas City's Salvador Perez singled in the tiebreaking run in Tuesday’s 4-3 victory and finished 3-for-4 with a homer while fellow All-Star Greg Holland converted his 31st consecutive save opportunity to raise his season total to 38.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), FSN (Kansas City)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Taijuan Walker (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Royals RH Ervin Santana (8-8, 3.19)

Walker allowed two hits and a walk while striking out two in the win over the Astros. The 21-year-old displayed good poise in the 70-pitch effort. The Mariners figure to only let Walker start two or possibly three more times as they are watching his innings closely after he worked a combined 141 1/3 frames at two minor-league levels prior to his recall.

Santana has failed to record a victory in five starts, last winning against the New York Mets on August 4. He lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in his last turn despite allowing just three runs (two earned) and four hits in seven innings. Santana is 12-7 with a 3.94 ERA in 29 career starts against the Mariners.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle 3B Kyle Seager is 5-for-8 with a homer in the series and is batting .450 during a five-game hitting streak.

2. Royals OF Alex Gordon hit the 12th leadoff homer of his career on Tuesday to set the franchise record. He had been tied with David DeJesus and Willie Wilson.

3. Mariners 1B Justin Smoak broke out of a 3-for-47 slump with two hits on Tuesday and is 7-for-18 with a homer and five RBIs against Santana.

PREDICTION: Royals 5, Mariners 4