Seattle @ Oakland preview
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Last Meeting ( Jul 3, 2015 ) Seattle 9, Oakland 5
Felix Hernandez goes after his 11th victory of the season when the Seattle Mariners visit the Oakland Athletics in Saturday's third contest of a four-game set. Hernandez has a 20-7 career mark and 2.63 ERA in 37 starts against Oakland.
The Seattle ace will be hoping the club's bats are once again potent after the Mariners used four two-run homers to record a 9-3 victory in Friday's game. Nelson Cruz, Brad Miller, Logan Morrison and Seth Smith were the players who cleared the fence and second baseman Robinson Cano had three hits and is 7-for-14 over the last three games. Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt (7-for-12 with a homer) has fared well against Hernandez while right fielder Josh Reddick (7-for-43) and second baseman Ben Zobrist (4-for-34) have experienced struggles. Oakland has lost five of its last eight games after splitting the first two contests of the series.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), CSN California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (10-4, 3.05 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Kendall Graveman (5-4, 3.47)
Hernandez is 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA in two 2015 starts against Oakland with the victory occurring when he allowed two runs — both solo home runs by A's shortstop Marcus Semien — and five hits over seven innings May 10. He gave up only one hit in six shutout innings against the Los Angeles Angels in his last turn and settled for a no-decision. Hernandez has allowed 19 runs and 20 hits in 11 2/3 innings in his last three losses.
Graveman tossed seven innings of five-hit shutout ball to defeat Houston in his last turn. He has won consecutive decisions and has allowed just six runs in 36 innings over his last five starts, going at least seven innings each time. Graveman has struggled at home with a 1-3 mark and 5.86 ERA in five outings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Mariners have clubbed 17 homers over their last 12 games.
2. Oakland LF Mark Canha had two hits and three RBIs on Friday and has driven in five runs over the last three games.
3. Seattle OF Mark Trumbo is 1-for-27 over his last eight contests.
PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Mariners 3