Mariners at Yankees
Aaron Hicks' recent power display proved to be contagious in the New York Yankees' series opener against the Seattle Mariners. Hicks went deep for the third time in as many contests for the Yankees (48-22), who will ride a four-homer performance into Wednesday's second contest of their three-game set versus the visiting Seattle Mariners (46-27).
Giancarlo Stanton ignited the fireworks with a solo homer, Miguel Andujar and Hicks added two-run shots and Gleyber Torres capped the scoring with a solo blast in Tuesday's 7-2 win for New York, which has won 15 of 19 overall and a majors-best 27 of 38 at home. Hicks collected three hits from the leadoff spot to improve to 8-for-17 with five RBIs and four runs scored during his four-game hitting streak, although he is just 1-for-5 with two strikeouts versus Wednesday starter Felix Hernandez. Seattle opened a 10-game road trip with a thud despite Nelson Cruz going deep for the second time in as many contests and seventh in his last 10. The Mariners matched a season low with two hits in that outing, putting their streak of 11 consecutive series without a loss (7-0-4) in jeopardy heading into their tilt versus right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT-Northwest (Seattle), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (6-6, 5.44 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Jonathan Loaisiga (1-0, 0.00)
Hernandez answered a disastrous start with a solid one on Thursday, albeit his strong seven-inning performance versus Boston resulted in his second consecutive loss. The 2010 AL Cy Young Award winner and six-time All-Star aims to rebound at the new Yankee Stadium, where he owns a 6-1 mark with a 1.41 ERA in nine career appearances. Brett Gardner is 13-for-36 in his career against Hernandez, but the hurler has subdued Austin Romine (0-for-6) and Didi Gregorius (1-for-9).
Loaisiga acquitted himself well in his major-league debut, scattering three hits over five strong innings in a 5-0 triumph over Tampa Bay. The 23-year-old Nicaraguan struggled with his control by issuing four walks against the Rays after allowing the same total over 45 minor league innings this season. Loaisiga was elevated to the majors from Double-A Trenton to fill in for injured starter Masahiro Tanaka, who is dealing with ailing hamstrings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Seattle 2B Dee Gordon has scored five times during his seven-game hitting streak.
2. Gardner (swollen right knee) could return to the lineup Wednesday, manager Aaron Boone said.
3. Mariners 3B Kyle Seager has answered a six-game hitting streak by going 0-for-7 with five strikeouts in the last two contests.