Seattle @ Oakland preview

Seattle at Oakland

Last Meeting ( Aug 11, 2010 ) Oakland 5, Seattle 1

The Seattle Mariners have not exactly released the hounds when it comes to their offense, scoring three runs or fewer in 10 consecutive games. They are just two off the team record of 12 set June 10-22, 1988.

But when you have Felix Hernandez at the top of the rotation, you don’t exactly need much scoring.

Hernandez was at his best again Sunday, throwing eight shutout innings with nine strikeouts in the Mariners’ 3-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians for a split of their four-game series.

Hernandez allowed four hits and now leads the majors with 209 strikeouts. He has a ridiculously low 0.20 ERA and is 4-1 in his last six starts.

Unfortunately, Hernandez can’t pitch every day, and the Mariners will not be able to use him during a three-game trip at the Oakland Athletics that begins with a Labor Day matinee Monday.

Oakland is 14-5 in day games this season and has a 2.85 home ERA, the best in the majors.

The Athletics will send Brett Anderson (3-6, 3.17 ERA) against Jason Vargas (9-8, 3.55 ERA) in a matchup of left-handers.

Anderson has lost his previous four decisions, earning his last win Aug. 4 against the Kansas City Royals when he allowed two earned runs on three hits in seven innings.

Anderson is 1-1 with a 0.47 ERA in three games against the Mariners this season. He has allowed just one run in 19 innings against the Mariners. He lost a 2-0 decision to them on Aug. 10, allowing one run in seven innings.

Anderson allowed four runs - one earned – in six innings Wednesday of a 4-3 loss to the New York Yankees.

The Mariners will look to Vargas to try to end a five-game losing streak in Oakland.

Vargas, who has never pitched in Oakland, is also trying to end a three-game slide. He has a 6.52 ERA in those starts.

The hurler allowed three runs on four hits in seven innings of a 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday.

Vargas is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in three appearances against Oakland. Vargas made his first start against Oakland on April 14, allowing two runs in six innings in a 4-2 victory.

The Athletics could be without third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, who left Sunday’s game against the Angels in the fifth inning with lower back spasms.

Mariners center fielder Franklin Gutierrez missed his second straight start with a stomach illness, but is expected to play Monday.