Rays at Mariners
Winning in dramatic fashion has become commonplace for the Seattle Mariners, who have moved into a first-place tie with Houston atop the American League West standings. Winners of 12 of their last 15 games, the Mariners aim for a sweep of their three-game series against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.
The Mariners improved to 23-10 in games decided by fewer than three runs with Saturday’s 3-1 victory behind Ryon Healy’s solo homer and six-plus innings from Marco Gonzales. Closer Edwin Diaz retired the side in order in the ninth inning for his major league-leading 20th save after struggling in his previous two appearances. Tampa Bay has lost three straight following a five-game winning streak and was held to five hits in Saturday’s loss. Daniel Robertson recorded two singles in four at-bats, but Mallex Smith grounded out as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning and is 17-for-83 with seven RBIs in 25 games since May 6.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Blake Snell (7-3, 2.56 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (5-4, 5.83)
Snell recorded his third consecutive victory on Tuesday, allowing one unearned run and two hits with seven strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings against Oakland. The 25-year-old native of Seattle has recorded at least seven strikeouts and not allowed a home run in each of his last three outings. Snell has gone 1-1 with a 0.87 ERA in two career starts against the Mariners, including seven scoreless innings in 3-0 win on Aug. 20, 2017.
Hernandez finished the month of May with a 2-2 record and 6.68 ERA in 33 2/3 innings over six outings. The six-time All-Star escaped with a no-decision against Texas on Tuesday, when he allowed five runs on six hits and two walks over five frames. C.J. Cron is 2-for-18 with nine strikeouts against Hernandez, who owns an 8-2 record and 1.94 ERA in 16 career starts versus Tampa Bay.
WALK-OFFS
1. Seattle leads the majors with 10 game-tying or go-ahead home runs in the seventh inning or later.
2. The Rays are 0-8 at Safeco Field since May 9, 2016.
3. Seattle SS Jean Segura is batting .427 (38-for-89) with 13 RBIs over his last 21 games.