Mariners at Tigers
The Seattle Mariners kicked off a 10-game road trip in style by banging out a season-high 15 hits in a 7-4 triumph over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday. Seattle may not require that much offense on Wednesday as ace Felix Hernandez vies for his ninth straight victory over Detroit.
Alex Liddi recorded a career-high three hits - including a solo homer - for the Mariners, who withstood Miguel Cabrera and Alex Avila's blasts to halt a four-game losing skid.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), FSD (Detroit)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (1-1, 2.76 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Adam Wilk (0-2, 4.00 ERA)
Hernandez pitched brilliantly in his last trip to the mound, scattering five hits and striking out a season-best 12 over eight scoreless innings. The 2010 Cy Young Award winner, however, was saddled with a no-decision after the Mariners' bats went soft. Hernandez boasts an 8-2 career mark with 72 strikeouts in 71 career innings versus the Tigers.
After pitching well in a losing decision during his first outing, Wilk struggled mightily against the Texas Rangers in his last trip to the mound. The 24-year-old southpaw was battered for 10 hits in four innings, but limited the damage to just three runs. Wilk yielded two runs on two hits in his lone appearance versus the Mariners last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. While Hernandez has traditionally tamed the Tigers, Cabrera has proved to be the exception. Cabrera, who has 12 hits in his last seven games, is 9-for-18 in his career versus the hurler.
2. With 1,598 wins, Tigers manager Jim Leyland is one victory shy of tying Tommy Lasorda for 17th on the career list.
3. Detroit placed right-hander Al Alburquerque was transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list on Tuesday. Alburquerque had surgery on his throwing elbow.