Twins at Mariners
James Paxton has overcome a slow start to the season and looks to produce another solid performance when the Seattle Mariners host the Minnesota Twins on Friday in the opener of their three-game series. Paxton has posted a 1.70 ERA over his last five starts, a stretch that includes a no-hitter in addition to a career-best 16-strikeout effort.
Paxton allowed two runs and three hits in a complete-game victory over Detroit in his last turn. The left-hander will look to help Seattle get back on track after the club's five-game winning streak was halted with Thursday's 4-3 loss at Oakland. Twins slugger Miguel Sano, who will be back for the series opener after missing 24 games with a hamstring injury, is 4-for-8 with a homer against Paxton. Minnesota is kicking off a six-game road trip after having its three-game winning streak snapped with Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Tigers.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Fernando Romero (2-0, 1.66 ERA) vs. Mariners LH James Paxton (3-1, 3.30)
Romero is coming off the worst of his four major-league starts as he allowed four runs - three earned - and three hits in five innings of a no-decision against Milwaukee. The promising 23-year-old didn't allow a run over his first 15 2/3 frames and has yet to give up more than four hits in a game. Romero, who was ranked as Minnesota's No. 2 prospect entering the season, has struck out 22 while issuing 11 walks in 21 2/3 innings.
Paxton has gone 2-1 with a 3.04 ERA while holding opponents to a .179 batting average in four home starts. The 29-year-old Canadian has fanned 10 or more batters on three occasions this season and has registered a total of 79 strikeouts in just 62 2/3 innings. Paxton is 2-1 with a 2.91 ERA in four career starts versus the Twins, giving up two runs and four hits over five frames in a no-decision on April 5 - a day remembered more for having a huge eagle land on his shoulder prior to the game in Minneapolis while he was standing for the national anthem.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners DH Nelson Cruz is 2-for-22 over his last seven contests and has gone 15 games without a homer.
2. Minnesota optioned OF Jake Cave to Triple-A Rochester to open the roster spot for Sano.
3. Seattle RF Mitch Haniger (wrist) went 0-for-3 with a walk on Thursday after missing one contest.