Mariners at Angels
While a two-game sample certainly is no indication of what's to come in the future, the Los Angeles Angels are delighted with what they've seen from Francisco Arcia thus far. After setting a major-league record the night before, Arcia could receive the day off on Sunday as the Angels look to extend their winning streak to five contests by completing a three-game sweep of the visiting Seattle Mariners.
Arcia, a 28-year-old catcher who spent a dozen years in the minors, went 2-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs in his major-league debut on Thursday and followed with two doubles, a home run and six RBIs in Saturday's 11-5 win to become the first player in history to drive in 10 runs over his first two career contests. The Venezuelan, who was recalled after Martin Maldonado was traded to Houston, also is the first Angel to go deep in each of his first two games. Nelson Cruz belted a pair of homers in the loss for the Mariners, who have lost three of their last four contests. Seattle and Los Angeles have met for a trio of three-game series this month, with the Angels winning five of the first eight matchups.
TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Marco Gonzales (11-5, 3.38 ERA) vs. Angels RH Felix Pena (1-1, 3.34)
Gonzales extended his winning streak to four starts last Sunday as he limited the Chicago White Sox to two runs and four hits in 6 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old native of Colorado has been quite stingy during the string of success, giving up a total of four runs over 28 1/3 frames while registering 24 strikeouts and issuing only three walks. Gonzales, who will be facing the Angels for the third time in four turns, is 2-0 with a 3.06 ERA in six career starts against Los Angeles - with both wins coming over four outings this season.
Pena worked a career-high six innings against the White Sox on Tuesday but suffered a hard-luck loss after giving up two runs on four hits and three walks. The 28-year-old Dominican has posted a 2.73 ERA and registered 32 strikeouts over 29 2/3 frames in his six starts but owns just a 1-1 record. Pena will be facing the Mariners for the first time in his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels OF Kole Calhoun has recorded a double and driven in at least one run in each of his last four games, going 7-for-19 with four doubles and seven RBIs during the streak.
2. Seattle RHP Sam Tuivailala is expected to be added to the active roster before the series finale after being acquired from St. Louis on Friday.
3. Los Angeles 2B Ian Kinsler has registered a trio of three-hit performances over his last six contests after going 3-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs scored on Saturday.