Mariners at Rangers
Felix Hernandez has lost more games against the Texas Rangers than versus any other opponent during his 14 major-league seasons. The right-hander aims to improve his career record against Texas to 20-24 when the Seattle Mariners visit the Rangers on Friday for the opener of their three-game series.
Hernandez also has made a career-high 54 starts against the Texas and is just 7-11 with a 4.33 ERA in 25 outings at Globe Life Park. He will be looking to help the Mariners break out of a funk in which they have dropped four of five games, including Thursday's 9-2 home loss to Houston. Texas sits in last place in the American League West with a 7-13 record as it opens a six-game homestand that includes a series versus Oakland. The Rangers have been limited to fewer than three runs on eight occasions, including Wednesday's 4-2 setback in Tampa Bay.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (2-2, 5.48 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Mike Minor (1-1, 4.60)
Hernandez lost to the Athletics in his last start as he allowed two runs and five hits with seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. The 32-year-old has served up five homers over his last three turns, including three in a loss to San Francisco on April 4 in which he yielded eight runs on six hits and five walks over four frames. Hernandez has shut down Rougned Odor (5-for-31, 10 strikeouts) despite surrendering two homers and always enjoys his battles with close friend and former teammate Adrian Beltre (13-for-56, one homer).
Minor was roughed up for five runs and five hits in five innings by Houston in his last outing but escaped with a no-decision. The 30-year-old has allowed just 10 hits over his three turns and possesses a solid 0.96 WHIP and .182 batting average against. Minor is 1-1 with 1.64 ERA in four career appearances against the Mariners and lost his lone start in 2014, when he gave up one run and five hits over seven innings while with Atlanta.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Mariners went 11-8 overall and 6-4 on the road against the Rangers last season.
2. Seattle has scored just seven runs over its last five games.
3. Texas CF Delino DeShields (broken left wrist) began a rehab stint at Double-A Frisco on Thursday and is expected back in the majors by early next week.