Mariners at Indians
Mike Clevinger looks to follow up the best performance of his career when the Cleveland Indians open a four-game series against the visiting Seattle Mariners on Thursday. The right-hander allowed just two hits while recording his first career shutout in a 4-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles last Saturday.
Seattle left-hander James Paxton hasn't discovered last season's form and was touched up for five runs and six hits in four innings during a no-decision against the Texas Rangers in his last turn. Paxton's substandard campaign began with a loss to the Indians on March 31 when he served up a grand slam to Yonder Alonso and a two-run shot to Yan Gomes while giving up six runs in 4 2/3 innings. The Mariners, who won the other two games of the season-opening three-game series, defeated the Chicago White Sox 4-3 on Wednesday. Cleveland posted a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday and has won four of its last five games.
TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports Northwest (Seattle), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH James Paxton (1-1, 5.61 ERA) vs. Indians RH Mike Clevinger (2-0, 1.75)
Paxton went 12-5 with a 2.98 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 24 starts last season but his ERA has nearly doubled and his WHIP has skyrocketed to 1.44. The 29-year-old has also served up four homers in 25 2/3 innings after giving up just nine in 136 frames last season. Paxton is 0-3 with a 5.87 ERA in three career outings against the Indians and has struggled with Jason Kipnis (4-for-8) and Rajai Davis (5-for-13).
Clevinger, who is making his 36th career start, is holding opposing batters to a .205 average this season to go along with a 1.10 WHIP. A 12-game winner last season, the 27-year-old controlled Baltimore hitters from the outset in his last effort despite striking out just three batters. Clevinger has never faced the Mariners but has experienced issues retiring Andrew Romine (3-for-8, two doubles) when the latter was on the Detroit Tigers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Indians LHP Andrew Miller (hamstring tightness) departed Wednesday's game and manager Terry Francona said Miller will undergo an MRI exam on Thursday.
2. Seattle 1B Ryon Healy (ankle) is expected to be activated at some point during the four-game series.
3. Cleveland announced the signing of veteran OF Melky Cabrera for $1 million plus incentives and will have him working out at extended spring training in Arizona before beginning a short minor-league stint and eventually joining the Indians.