Seattle @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 28, 2017 ) Arizona 15, Seattle 6

The Seattle Mariners are struggling to keep pace with the Houston Astros and the Oakland Athletics in the American League West, and the schedule isn't getting any easier. The Mariners will try to bust out of the slump when they enter their fifth consecutive series against a playoff contender by visiting the National League West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday.

The Mariners sit four games behind the Athletics for the second AL wild card and 5 1/2 in back of the Astros in the division after going 3-6 in the last nine games against Oakland, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston. "I think we have a lot of time left to get everything firing on all cylinders, and this team's done a great job," Mariners left-hander Marco Gonzales told reporters after absorbing the loss on Wednesday. "When one part struggles, the other part steps up. We're really close for everything to be firing, and we have September to get hot, and I think that's gonna be good for us." The Diamondbacks own a one-game lead in the NL West and are winners of six of their last seven after polishing off a two-game sweep of another AL West opponent - the Los Angeles Angels - on Wednesday. Arizona will greet Seattle with right-hander Zack Godley while the Mariners counter with righty Erasmo Ramirez.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Erasmo Ramirez (0-2, 5.49 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (13-6, 4.44)

Ramirez is making his fifth start since joining the Seattle rotation and surrendered a total of one run and seven hits across 10 innings over his last two turns. The Nicaragua native issued four walks against the Dodgers on Saturday to drive up his pitch count and has yet to earn a win. Ramirez is making his third career appearance against Arizona and is 5-5 with a 5.33 ERA in 22 career interleague games - 12 starts.

Godley last absorbed a loss on July 1 but was knocked around a bit in a no-decision at San Diego on Saturday, surrendering six runs on eight hits and four walks over five innings. The 28-year-old did not yield a home run in that outing and last surrendered a blast on June 26 at Miami. Godley won his lone previous start against the Mariners and is 3-2 with a 2.88 ERA in nine career interleague games - five starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners 2B Robinson Cano, who made his first career start at 3B on Wednesday, hit safely in seven of eight games since returning from an 80-game suspension.

2. Arizona 1B Paul Goldschmidt hit safely in each of the last 14 contests.

3. Seattle SS Jean Segura (ribs) left Wednesday's game and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Mariners 4