Dodgers at Mariners
The Seattle Mariners have not had much to celebrate in recent seasons. No-hitting the major league-best Los Angeles Dodgers should lighten the mood for a while. Kevin Millwood went the first six innings and five relievers combined for the final nine outs in the fourth no-hitter of the season on Friday night, a 1-0 victory. The Dodgers, who still lead the majors with a 37-22 mark, are a different offense without Matt Kemp in the middle.
Kemp is on the disabled list with a hamstring injury and Andre Ethier is 1-for-21 over his last six games, robbing Los Angeles of some of its offensive clout. Seattle is last in the AL in home scoring with an average of 3.2 runs at Safeco Field but only needed one on Friday thanks first to Millwood, who left with a groin injury after six dominant frames. Five relievers and some strong defense did the rest while Kyle Seager recorded the lone RBI.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (4-3, 2.55 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Jason Vargas (7-4, 3.64)
The NL’s reigning Cy Young Award winner has looked human lately, going winless in his last three turns while posting a 4.58 ERA. Kershaw is reportedly dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, though it only affects him when running the bases. The left-hander won his lone career start against the Mariners, striking out eight and allowing two runs over six innings on June 26, 2009.
Vargas has gotten plenty of help from the Seattle offense in his last two turns, winning both despite allowing a total of seven earned runs in 12 1/3 innings. The 29-year old has struggled at keeping the ball in the park, allowing seven home runs in his last five outings. Vargas is 1-1 with a 3.95 ERA in two career starts against Los Angeles.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners ace Felix Hernandez (back) was tentatively scheduled to start the series finale on Sunday but will instead be pushed back to Tuesday against the San Diego Padres.
2. The last combined no-hitter in the majors also came during interleague play, when the Houston Astros used six pitchers to stop the New York Yankees on June 11, 2003.
3. Dodgers SS Dee Gordon was thrown out at first base on a close play late on Friday, ending a six-game hitting streak.