Baltimore @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 1, 2011 ) Baltimore 2, Seattle 1

The Baltimore Orioles are spiraling downward and aim to reverse their recent fortunes when they visit the Seattle Mariners in Monday’s opener of a three-game series. Baltimore was 12 games over .500 before a recent slump that has seen it lose five of its last six games and nine of 12. Seattle split four games with the Boston Red Sox, but still possesses the worst record in the American League.

Orioles starter Jason Hammel is one of five candidates for the final spot on the AL All-Star Game so a good effort would bolster his chances. Baltimore is six games above .500, its lowest level since April 30. The Mariners have tallied just eight runs over their last nine games while wasting a few good pitching efforts. Seattle lost in 10 innings Sunday one day after edging the Red Sox in 11 frames.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Jason Hammel (8-3, 3.29 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Hisashi Iwakuma (1-1, 4.75 ERA)

Hammel was torched by the Los Angeles Angels for eight runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings in his last start. The poor outing came after two stellar efforts in which he allowed six hits and no earned runs in 17 innings. Hammel is just 3-10 with a 5.18 ERA in July during a major-league career that began in 2006. He is 1-0 with a 2.92 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against Seattle.

Iwakuma is starting in place of Kevin Millwood, who is being pushed back in the rotation due to a groin injury. He entered in relief to replace Millwood last Wednesday against the Oakland Athletics and allowed just one hit in 3 2/3 innings, but it was a decisive homer to Yoenis Cespedes. Iwakuma has never pitched against Baltimore.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Jim Thome was hitless in four at-bats and struck out twice in his Baltimore debut Sunday.

2. Mariners outfielder Michael Saunders has missed three straight games due to illness.

3. Orioles third baseman Wilson Betemit has an 11-game hitting streak.