Mariners at Rangers
Former closer Neftali Feliz threw seven scoreless innings in his first career start for the Texas Rangers, who have overtaken the Seattle Mariners for first place in the American League West by winning the first two contests of a four-game series. The Mariners took an early 5-2 lead in Monday’s series opener but have not scored since, coming up on the short end of a 1-0 battle Tuesday. Blake Beavan was the hard-luck loser for Seattle.
Pitching has been the driving force behind the Rangers’ 4-1 start. Texas has not skipped a beat since losing C.J. Wilson in free agency, throwing two shutouts in the last three days and allowing just 11 runs overall. The Mariners, who are not expected by many to threaten Texas and Los Angeles in the AL West this season, have been among the league’s better offensive teams despite falling flat on Tuesday. Veteran Ichiro Suzuki is batting a team-best .360 (9-for-25), with three- and four-hit games already to his credit.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Seattle), Fox Sports Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Kevin Millwood (2011: 4-3, 3.98 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Colby Lewis (1-0, 3.00 ERA)
Millwood spent the first half of last year in the minors for Boston before being picked up late by Colorado and making nine starts. He allowed nine homers in 54 1/3 innings, and while that shouldn’t be as much of an issue in Seattle this season, it could be against Texas. Millwood is still looking for his first win against the Rangers (0-2, 4.95), and he’s allowed four homers in 20 innings.
Lewis seized the No. 1 spot in the Texas rotation after Wilson’s departure, and he didn’t disappoint in an opening-day win over the Chicago White Sox. He allowed two earned runs and struck out nine in six innings. Lewis has had mixed results in his 17 career games (13 starts) against Seattle, going 6-4 with a 3.70 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 92 1/3 innings. He won two of three against the Mariners in 2011.
WALK-OFFS:
1. The Rangers have won seven straight against the Mariners and 17 of 21 dating back to the start of last season.
2. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre is extremely familiar with Millwood, logging 74 at-bats against the veteran righty. Beltre is batting .257 with three home runs and nine strikeouts.
3. The Rangers are 38-15 in their last 53 games against AL West teams dating back to last year, while Seattle has now lost 16 of its last 22 division games.