Rangers at Mariners
The Seattle Mariners look for their 10th victory in the past 11 games when they host the Texas Rangers on Tuesday in the second contest of a four-game series. Seattle posted a 2-1 victory in Monday's opener for its fourth straight win to move a season-best 13 games over .500.
The Mariners have allowed 20 runs over the 10-game run, holding the opposition to two or fewer in seven of the contests. Seattle will look for right-hander Felix Hernandez to continue the team's string of solid efforts but he stands 19-24 with a 4.00 ERA in 55 career starts against Texas. The Rangers managed only five hits in Monday's loss with their run scoring on a passed ball by Mariners catcher Mike Zunino. Texas designated hitter Shin-Soo Choo reached base twice in the opener and is 7-for-18 with two homers and nine walks during a six-game hitting streak.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), ROOT Sports Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Austin Bibens-Dirkx (0-1, 5.68 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (5-4, 5.58)
Bibens-Dirkx learned Sunday that he would receive a second start but he could be sent to Triple-A Round Rock after the outing with the Rangers set to activate left-hander Matt Moore to start Wednesday. The 33-year-old lost to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday when he gave up six runs - four earned - and eight hits over 6 1/3 innings after being recalled earlier that day. Bibens-Dirkx allowed three runs over four innings in two relief appearances against Seattle last season.
Hernandez is 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA over his past four starts and has been unable to find the dominating form he often exhibited earlier in his career. The 32-year-old has served up 10 homers and has a mediocre 1.39 WHIP while striking out 51 in 61 1/3 innings. Hernandez allowed two runs and four hits over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Rangers on April 20 and has enjoyed good success against Rougned Odor (5-for-31 with one homer and 10 strikeouts).
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners SS Jean Segura was a late scratch Monday when he didn't pass the concussion protocol but hopes to be cleared Tuesday after a two-game absence.
2. Texas SS Elvis Andrus (elbow) and 3B Adrian Beltre (hamstring) each fielded grounders before Monday's game with Andrus' workout being his first since being injured April 11.
3. Seattle INF Taylor Motter was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins one day after being designated for assignment.