Oakland @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 26, 2012 ) Oakland 2, Seattle 3

The Seattle Mariners haven’t gotten many hits at home but they came up with the ones that counted on Tuesday, giving them a chance for a series win. The Mariners rank last in home batting average, hovering around .200, and are just 13-20 at Safeco Field. But after squandering a 2-0 lead on Tuesday, Seattle got a clutch hit from Brendan Ryan to cool the streaking Oakland Athletics. The A’s lost for just the fourth time in their last 14 games.

The Mariners allowed 39 runs in four games last week but have gotten great starting pitching lately to cut that number to six in the last four. A weak offensive output has resulted in only two wins in that span, however. Oakland had a chance to get back to .500 for the first time since May 22 with a sweep of Seattle but will instead have to hope for its fifth series win this month if it can close with a win on Thursday. The A’s have a tough schedule leading into the All-Star break, with a four-game showdown at first-place Texas over the weekend and the Boston Red Sox visiting next week.

TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Jarrod Parker (3-3, 2.70 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Kevin Millwood (3-6, 4.02 ERA)

Parker is quickly establishing himself as one of the best young pitchers in baseball. The 23-year-old has allowed one or no runs in five of his last six starts and has surrendered only two home runs in 66 2/3 total innings. Parker has never faced the Mariners but has posted a 2-2 record with a 4.39 ERA in five starts on the road.

Millwood has not fared well since leaving a no-hitter after six innings on June 8. The veteran right-hander has allowed 12 runs - eight earned - and 17 hits in 10 innings over his last two turns. He was lit up for eight runs - five earned - at light-hitting San Diego last week. Millwood is 6-4 with a 3.72 ERA in 18 career starts against Oakland.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Ichiro Suzuki played his first game of the season at designated hitter on Tuesday and went 2-for-3 as Casper Wells took over in right field.

2. The Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5 hitters in the Oakland lineup combined to strike out 10 times on Tuesday.

3. Mariners RH Stephen Pryor (groin) is eligible to come off the disabled list on Wednesday but will be pushed back another week or two.