Mariners at Rangers
The Seattle Mariners look for their first sweep of three or more games at Texas since 2002 when they conclude a three-game series against the Rangers on Thursday. Seattle defeated Texas for the second straight night on Wednesday when Kyle Seager hit a two-run homer in the 10th and Tom Wilhelmsen recorded his first save since June 10 in a 4-2 victory. The Rangers had won 30 of the previous 42 home games against the Mariners before the back-to-back losses.
Seattle hitters struck out 14 times in Wednesday’s victory but have also bashed five homers in the series. Texas has lost three of four games and remains a half-game behind the Oakland Athletics in the American League West race. Rangers designated hitter Lance Berkman returned from a four-game absence due to knee woes and went 1-for-4 on Wednesday.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), Fox South Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Hisashi Iwakuma (7-3, 2.42 ERA) vs. LH Martin Perez (2-1, 2.37)
Iwakuma is 0-2 over his last three starts and allowed four runs in each of the outings. The All-Star candidate is 1-0 with a 1.84 ERA and 0.61 WHIP in two starts against the Rangers this season, allowing just eight hits over 14 2/3 innings. Iwakuma is 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) against Texas.
Perez allowed six hits while pitching 6 2/3 shutout innings against the Cincinnati Reds in his last outing. Six days earlier, he defeated the St. Louis Cardinals when he gave up two runs and five hits over seven innings. Perez is 0-1 with a 2.89 ERA in three career appearances (one start) against Seattle.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rangers OF Leonys Martin went 0-for-4 on Wednesday as his 15-game hitting streak ended.
2. Seager is 5-for-9 in the series but is hitless in five career at-bats against Perez.
3. Texas 2B Ian Kinsler is 6-for-12 with three solo homers against Iwakuma.