Royals at Mariners
The Seattle Mariners just won four straight games against Baltimore, the worst team in the major leagues. Seattle next looks to take advantage of the visiting Kansas City Royals, the second-worst club, when the teams open a three-game series on Friday.
Mariners slugger Nelson Cruz (back) returned from a two-game absence to belt a homer and drive in three runs in Thursday's 4-2, 10-inning victory over the Orioles, giving him 11 blasts and 24 RBIs this month. Kyle Seager (toe) was limited to pinch-hitting duties against Baltimore, and his status for the series opener will be determined Friday. Kansas City posted a 5-4 interleague victory over Milwaukee on Wednesday to halt a 19-game stretch of scoring four runs or fewer. Royals catcher Salvador Perez (leg) departed that contest in the ninth inning after being hit by a foul ball but is expected to be in Friday's lineup.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ian Kennedy (1-7, 5.09 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Marco Gonzales (7-5, 4.04)
Kennedy has dropped seven consecutive decisions and is winless over his last 14 starts. The 33-year-old pitched well in a no-decision against Houston on Saturday, when he gave up two runs and four hits in seven innings. Kennedy is 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA in four career starts against Seattle and has held Dee Gordon (4-for-23) and Denard Span (2-for-11) in check.
Gonzales has lost back-to-back outings and is winless over his last three turns. The 26-year-old has posted a 7.27 ERA during the rough stretch after going 4-0 with a 0.81 ERA over his previous five starts. Gonzales is 0-1 with a 12.79 ERA in two career turns versus the Royals as has been battered for 15 hits over 6 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Gordon's next stolen base will be the 300th of his career.
2. Kansas City OF Jorge Bonifacio was activated from the restricted list on Thursday as he finished serving his 80-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, while 2B Ryan Goins was designated for assignment.
3. Seattle LF Ben Gamel went 3-for-5 on Thursday for his third three-hit performance of the campaign.