Mariners at Blue Jays
The Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays continue to go in opposite
directions as they meet for the middle contest of a three-game series
Saturday. Seattle has won four straight to start a 10-game road trip and
the Blue Jays have lost four in a row after standing in first place in
the American League East.
The Mariners have scored 34 runs in
five games since having a perfect game thrown against them, including
the 9-5 victory in 10 innings at Toronto on Friday. Michael Saunders had
a pair of homers, including a grand slam in the 10th, and is 8-for-22
his last six games.
The Blue Jays scored three runs in three
losses at Baltimore earlier in the week and coughed up a two-run lead in
the ninth Friday. Jose Bautista is 1-for-15 the last four games for the
Jays, but has good numbers against Saturday starter Kevin Millwood.
TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), RSN (Toronto).
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Kevin Millwood (0-1, 7.04) vs. Blue Jays RH Brandon Morrow (1-1, 3.71)
Millwood,
who sports 163 career victories, has allowed 21 hits in 15 1/3 innings
through his first three starts for his seventh team. Millwood is 2-7
lifetime against the Blue Jays with a 5.17 ERA over 71 1/3 innings.
Bautista is 7-for-12 with three homers and eight RBIs against Millwood.
Morrow
won his last start, going 6 2/3 innings while surrendering seven hits
and one run against Kansas City. He had given up 10 runs and five home
runs his previous two games. Right-handed hitters are batting .297
against Morrow and left-handers .190. Morrow has struck out 19 in 13
innings in two victories against Seattle – both last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Blue Jays are batting .327 with runners in scoring position.
2. Seattle’s Alex Liddi is 15-for-46 with five homers and 10 RBIs in the first 14 road games of his career.
3.
Veteran infielder Omar Vizquel is expected to get a start at shortstop
Saturday in place of Yunel Escobar, who is 1-for-15 the last four games.
The 45-year-old on Thursday became the oldest to ever play shorstop.