Seattle @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 20, 2012 ) Seattle 3, Tampa Bay 4

The Tampa Bay Rays have had no trouble beating the Seattle Mariners this season. The Rays seek their sixth straight victory over Seattle in Saturday’s second contest of a three-game set. Tampa Bay has beaten the Mariners nine straight times dating back to last season – the second-longest winning streak against any team in franchise history. The Rays beat Seattle in 14 innings in the opener and have won consecutive games for the first time since July 2-3.

Winning close games has been a problem for Seattle, which is 10-18 in one-run contests after losing Friday’s four-hour, 46-minute marathon. Both teams taxed their bullpens in the opener and will hoping for lengthy starting efforts in the middle contest of the three-game series. Tampa Bay’s bullpen allowed just one hit in 6 1/3 innings. Ben Zobrist had three hits, including the game-winning double. The Mariners scored 31 runs in a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals but had just five hits in the 14-inning affair.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), SUN (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Jason Vargas (9-7, 4.09 ERA) vs. Rays RH Alex Cobb (4-6, 4.92)

Vargas has won back-to-back outings after a five-start winless stretch. He allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings while beating the Kansas City Royals in his last outings. Vargas has given up 25 homers – most in the majors – and allowed at least one in each of his past 12 starts. He is 1-3 with a 3.82 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) against Tampa Bay.

Cobb has lost six of eight decisions since winning his first two starts of the season. He lasted just 3 1/3 innings while taking a no-decision against the Cleveland Indians in his last outing. Cobb lost to Seattle last season in his lone outing against the club despite striking out nine in 6 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The teams combined to strike out 32 times in the opener – 17 by the Mariners and 15 by the Rays.

2. Seattle C Jesus Montero was hitless in five at-bats after going 11-for-21 over his previous five contests.

3. Zobrist is batting .412 in 17 career at-bats against Vargas.