Baltimore @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 2, 2012 ) Baltimore 3, Seattle 6

Felix Hernandez is coming off back-to-back dominating performances and will vie for another as the Seattle Mariners host the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday. Hernandez has allowed just one run and struck out 23 in 16 innings while winning his last outings in strong fashion. The All-Star right-hander missed a start in early June after back issues diminished his effectiveness. Baltimore has lost six of seven games after dropping Monday’s series-opening game.

The Mariners had scored just eight runs in nine games before Monday’s 6-3 victory. Casper Wells had a three-run double in the seventh that put Seattle ahead and Miguel Olivo and Dustin Ackley added back-to-back homers an inning later. The victory improved the Mariners’ record against American League East foes to 6-12. Struggling Baltimore has lost 10 of 13 games and is just five games above .500 after losing its first meeting of the season against Seattle. The Orioles have fared poorly against AL West teams, dropping to 4-10 with Monday’s setback.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network 2 (Baltimore), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles LH Wei-Yin Chen (7-4, 3.73 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (6-5, 3.09 ERA)

Chen has lost back-to-back starts after winning three straight outings. He gave up six runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings while losing to the Cleveland Indians in his last start. Chen has never faced the Mariners.

Hernandez struck out a season-high 13 and pitched a five-hit shutout while beating the Boston Red Sox in his last start. His previous outing also was strong when he struck out 10 in seven innings while beating the San Diego Padres. Hernandez has fanned 10 or more 19 times in his career. He is 5-4 with a 3.46 ERA in 13 career starts against the Orioles.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Orioles slugger Jim Thome is batting .500 with three homers and three doubles in 16 career at-bats against Hernandez.

2. Mariners closer Tom Wilhelmsen hasn’t allowed a run in 16 appearances dating back to May 23. He has fanned 23 batters in 19 2/3 innings during the span.

3. Baltimore announced before Monday’s game that 30-year-old pitcher Dontrelle Willis – a former 22-game winner with the then-Florida Marlins – has retired after going 0-3 with an 8.53 ERA in four appearances for Triple-A Norfolk.