San Diego @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 29, 2018 ) Seattle 3, San Diego 8

The Seattle Mariners aim to finish an eight-game homestand with a flourish as they begin the final leg on Tuesday with the opener an abbreviated two-game interleague series against the San Diego Padres (57-88). The Mariners (79-64), who reside 7 1/2 games behind Oakland for the second wild card in the American League, snapped a two-game skid to split the first six contests with a 3-2 win over the New York Yankees on Sunday.

Seattle's Ryon Healy had a run-scoring single on Sunday to improve to 24-for-72 with 14 RBIs and seven scored during his last 20 games. Teammate Robinson Cano, who also drove in a run against his former team, has hit safely in nine of his last 11 contests while scoring seven times in that stretch. San Diego's Eric Hosmer continued his home-run binge by going deep for a career-best third straight game in Sunday's 7-6 win over Cincinnati. Hosmer, who has reached base in 11 consecutive appearances overall, had three hits as the Padres completed a two-game sweep of the Mariners with an 8-3 victory on Aug. 29.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, ROOT Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Bryan Mitchell (1-3, 6.58 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Marco Gonzales (12-9, 4.32)

Mitchell fared well in his first start following a three-month absence due to an elbow impingement to his throwing arm, allowing one run on two hits through five innings of a 6-2 win at Arizona on Sept. 3. The 27-year-old savored the flavor of the victory, as it was his first since April 12, 2017. Mitchell, who struck out 28 in 28 1/3 innings with Class A Elsinore, is receiving Tuesday's start as San Diego keeps an eye on the future.

Sidelined since Aug. 22 due to a strained neck, Gonzales returns from the disabled list to make the start on Tuesday. The 26-year-old surrendered 23 earned runs over 20 innings to post an 0-4 record with a gaudy 10.35 ERA in his previous four outings before making the trek to the DL. Gonzales is ready to make his 48th career start and first versus San Diego after participating in a pair of successful bullpen sessions.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego C Austin Hedges has highlighted his career-best eight-game hitting streak with six extra-base hits (three doubles, two triples, homer).

2. Seattle's 35 one-run wins this season match a club record, set in 2009.

3. Padres OF Hunter Renfroe had a homer and five RBIs in the previous two-game series versus the Mariners.

PREDICTION: Mariners 4, Padres 2