Texas @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 13, 2012 ) Texas 3, Seattle 2

A matchup of two All-Star hurlers is on tap as the Seattle Mariners host the Texas Rangers in Saturday’s second contest of a three-game series. Seattle’s Felix Hernandez strives to hold down the squad with the second-best record in baseball, while Texas’ Yu Darvish seeks to continue his fine campaign. Hernandez is 11-16 against the Rangers, his worst mark against any team. Texas won Friday’s opener 3-2 to improve to 6-5 against Seattle this season.

The Mariners have the worst record in the AL and were handcuffed by Derek Holland for 7 2/3 innings in the opener before tallying twice in the ninth off Rangers closer Joe Nathan. All seven of Seattle’s hits were singles. Texas got two runs off one swing of the bat on Adrian Beltre’s homer. The Rangers stretched their lead to five games over the Los Angeles Angels in the American League West.

TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest (Texas), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Yu Darvish (10-5, 3.59 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (6-5, 3.13)

Darvish has fanned 40 batters in 30 innings while going 3-1 over his last four starts. He lost to Oakland in his last outing while striking out 11 for the third time this season. Darvish has had his struggles with the light-hitting Mariners, going 1-1 with an 8.38 ERA in two starts against Seattle. He has allowed 12 hits and walked 10 in 9 2/3 innings against the Mariners.

Hernandez defeated the Rangers on May 21 when he allowed one run and six hits in eight innings. He has a 3.92 ERA in 33 career starts against Texas. Hernandez hasn’t lost since June 12 against the San Diego Padres. He is 2-0 with three no-decisions in his last five starts.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki is 5-for-7 with two RBIs against Darvish.

2. Rangers star Josh Hamilton is batting just .178 with 13 strikeouts in 45 career at-bats against Hernandez. He has one homer off the Seattle ace.

3. Mariners OF Casper Wells went 2-for-4 in the opener and has a .412 average in 34 career at-bats against Texas pitching.