Los Angeles @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 3, 2018 ) LA Angels 1, Seattle 4

The Seattle Mariners seek their ninth consecutive victory Wednesday as they host the American League West-rival Los Angeles Angels for the middle contest of their three-game set. Seattle posted a 4-1 triumph in the series opener, scoring three times in the first inning en route to improving to 4-0 on its nine-game homestand.

Kyle Seager delivered a two-run double and Nelson Cruz belted a solo homer for the Mariners, who have allowed fewer than three runs in four of their last five contests. Los Angeles managed only four hits in its eighth loss in 10 games, although three went for extra bases. Andrelton Simmons accounted for the Angels' only run with a homer, giving him a hit in nine of his last 10 contests. Los Angeles welcomed back two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani from an elbow injury as he was activated from the 10-day disabled list prior to Tuesday's loss and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts as the designated hitter.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Garrett Richards (4-4, 3.42 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Mike Leake (8-4, 4.01)

Richards has recovered from his strained hamstring and is expected to be activated from the disabled list to make his first start since June 13, when he allowed two runs and four hits over two innings of a no-decision at Seattle. The 30-year-old Californian has gone 0-3 in seven turns since his last victory, a triumph - again at Seattle - in which he scattered four hits over 6 2/3 scoreless frames. Richards owns a 6-4 record and 3.05 ERA in 12 career starts and eight relief appearances against the Mariners.

Leake settled for a no-decision at Baltimore on Thursday in which he allowed only two runs and five hits over seven innings. The 30-year-old, who also hails from the Golden State, has won five of his last six decisions and has given up fewer than three runs in eight of his last 10 overall turns. Leake improved to 3-1 with a 2.49 ERA in four career starts against the Angels on June 12, when he yielded one run on four hits and three walks in six frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels OF Chris Young left Tuesday's game in the first inning with a strained left hamstring and could be sidelined for a while.

2. Seattle signed LHP Wade LeBlanc, who worked seven strong innings in the series opener to notch the win, to a contract extension through 2019 with club options through 2022.

3. Los Angeles recalled Miguel Almonte from Triple-A Salt Lake and optioned fellow RHPs Eduardo Paredes and Deck McGuire to the Bees.

PREDICTION: Mariners 7, Angels 3