Rangers at Mariners
The Seattle Mariners appeared to be headed toward oblivion during their recent 10-game road trip, but a string of strong pitching performances has the team riding a four-game winning streak entering the second of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night. Following Felix Hernandez's gem on Monday, the Mariners have outscored the opposition 26-8 in the past four games. Seattle's pitching had allowed at least five runs in six of seven games prior to the turnaround.
While it's easy to point a finger at Texas' offense during its 3-5 stretch, the Rangers did score at least four runs in six straight games prior to Monday's loss. It just pales in comparison to a seven-game span earlier this month in which the team amassed 61 runs. Josh Hamilton has slowed down after his spectacular first half of the month, managing only three singles in his last 17 at-bats. He hasn't homered in nine games.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSH, ROOT
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Matt Harrison (4-3, 5.21 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Hector Noesi (2-4, 5.61 ERA)
Harrison has struggled since winning his first three starts, going 1-3 in his last five outings. He had rare control issues last time out, walking a season-high three and allowing three runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings against Oakland. He has pitched superbly against the Mariners, logging a 6-1 record and 2.67 ERA in 13 career appearances (nine starts).
Noesi has been unable to string together solid back-to-back efforts. He limited Cleveland to one run on five hits in 6 1/3 innings last time out. Noesi has been prone to the long ball, surrendering eight homers in 43 1/3 innings. He was taken deep by Texas' Nelson Cruz and Mitch Moreland in a rocky season debut that saw him KO'd in the fourth inning.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Rangers RHP Neftali Feliz will be shut down for a month after he was diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament.
2. Ichiro Suzuki has 290 career hits against the Rangers. Only George Brett (291) has more hits against them since the franchise moved to Texas.
3. Moreland homered in the eighth Monday, extending Texas' streak of hitting a homer in 15 straight games. It's the longest streak in the majors this year.