Angels at Mariners
The Seattle Mariners continued their streaking ways by claiming the series opener and seek another triumph when they host the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Nelson Cruz went deep twice for his 24th career multi-homer performance in Monday's 5-3 victory as Seattle won for the ninth time in 11 games.
Cruz suffered an ankle injury in the season's second game and struggled to find his power stroke after his return but now is thriving and leads the Mariners with 15 homers. "He is certainly in a really good groove right now, hopefully we can ride it as long as we can," Seattle manager Scott Servais told reporters afterward of Cruz, who has collected eight homers and 17 RBIs over his last 16 games. Angels star Mike Trout also belted two homers in Monday's game to increase his major league-leading total to 21. Trout's career home run count stands at 222, which is tied with Brian Downing for third-most in franchise history behind Garret Anderson (272) and leader Tim Salmon (299).
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jaime Barria (5-1, 2.48 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Mike Leake (6-3, 4.46)
Barria is slated to be recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to make his eighth start of the season. The 21-year-old has won four consecutive decisions after blanking Texas on four hits over six innings in his last turn. Barria is limiting batters to a .215 average and has registered 30 strikeouts against nine walks in 36 1/3 frames.
Leake has been superb of late, going 3-0 with a 2.79 ERA over his last six starts. The 30-year-old defeated Tampa Bay in his last outing, when he gave up two runs and eight hits over eight innings. Leake, who is 2-1 with a 2.79 ERA in three career starts against the Angels, had his last setback occur against Los Angeles on May 4 as he allowed three runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels DH Albert Pujols hit his 624th career homer in the series opener, drawing him within six of Ken Griffey Jr. for sixth place on the all-time list.
2. Seattle SS Jean Segura went 3-for-4 on Monday for his fifth multi-hit effort in seven games as he increased his major-league leading total in that category to 30.
3. Trout has recorded 11 career multi-homer performances, including three at Safeco Field to tie Vladimir Guerrero for most by a visiting player.