Indians at Mariners
Joe Saunders looks to continue his stellar July as the Seattle Mariners carry their season-best eight-game winning streak into Wednesday afternoon’s series finale against the visiting Cleveland Indians. Saunders will attempt to improve upon his 4-0 record and 1.73 ERA this month as the Mariners try to complete their consecutive series sweep. Cleveland is just 1-4 on a six-game road trip that wraps up Wednesday and has fallen 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers in the American League Central.
Cleveland’s Yan Gomes has hit three of his seven home runs this season against the Mariners, including a two-run, upper-deck blast in Tuesday’s loss. Seattle is looking to post its first nine-game winning streak since 2003. Bench coach Robby Thompson has ran the club the past two games for manager Eric Wedge, who suffered dizziness prior to Monday’s game and spent a second night in the hospital on Tuesday.
TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), ROOT (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians LH Scott Kazmir (5-4, 4.30 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Joe Saunders (9-8, 4.28)
Kazmir has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his last six outings. He is only 2-0 during that stretch as he received a no-decision against Minnesota in his last turn despite yielding just two unearned runs and two hits in six innings. Kazmir gave up five runs and seven hits over three frames in a no-decision against Seattle on May 20 and is 3-3 with a 3.90 ERA in 10 career starts against the Mariners.
Saunders gave up just two earned runs in his first three July starts before allowing three runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings against Houston in his last outing. He has served up 14 homers but has kept the ball in the ballpark in seven of his last nine starts. Saunders surrendered four runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision against Cleveland on May 20 and is 2-1 with a 3.64 ERA in seven career starts against the Indians.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners C Mike Zunino has driven in the decisive run in each of the first two games of the series.
2. Indians OF Ryan Raburn is 1-for-16 lifetime against Saunders.
3. Seattle failed to homer on Tuesday after going deep at least once in 25 of its previous 26 games.