Kansas City @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 29, 2018 ) Kansas City 1, Seattle 4

The Seattle Mariners look to register their sixth consecutive victory when they host the Kansas City Royals on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Mitch Haniger hit a two-run homer and Mike Zunino belted a solo shot as Seattle posted a 4-1 victory in the series opener.

Jean Segura recorded two hits on Friday for his major league-leading 35th multi-hit performance as he raised his batting average to .338 - third-best in the American League. Segura is 8-for-18 with six runs scored over his last four games while Haniger broke a 14-game power drought with the homer that was his career-best 17th of the season. Kansas City is a porous 5-20 this month and was one out away from being blanked on Friday until Mike Moustakas delivered an RBI single. Royals outfielder Jorge Bonifacio went 0-for-3 in his season debut after completing his 80-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, ROOT Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jason Hammel (2-9, 5.34 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (7-6, 5.10)

Hammel has lost four consecutive starts and is winless in his last five outings. The 35-year-old had a tough time against Houston in his last turn, when he gave up nine runs - seven earned - on six hits and a season-high five walks in four innings. Hammel is 3-3 with a 3.53 ERA in eight career appearances (seven starts) against the Mariners as he has shut down Denard Span (5-for-29) and Jean Segura (4-for-23).

Hernandez defeated Baltimore in his last turn as he gave up three runs and four hits over six innings. The 32-year-old has allowed three runs or fewer in four of his last five starts but still hasn't been able to get his ERA below 5.00. Hernandez defeated the Royals on April 10, when he gave up three runs and six hits over 5 2/3 innings, and is 6-6 with a 3.15 ERA in 15 career starts versus Kansas City.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners 3B Kyle Seager (toe) was back in the starting lineup Friday and reached base three times on a single and two walks.

2. Kansas City LF Alex Gordon, who is 4-for-27 lifetime versus Hernandez, will be back in the lineup Saturday after getting the opener off.

3. Seattle 1B Ryon Healy went 0-for-4 in the series opener and is just 1-for-22 over his last five games.

PREDICTION: Mariners 7, Royals 4