Seattle @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 16, 2012 ) Seattle 9, Kansas City 4

The Seattle Mariners got off to a fast start in the series opener Monday, scoring five runs before recording an out and rolling to their second win in three games. They hope for similar results Tuesday when they meet the struggling Kansas City Royals in the second contest of their four-game series at Kauffman Stadium. Casper Wells helped spark Seattle's dormant offense, driving in a career-high five runs with a three-run homer in the first inning and a two-run triple in the second.

Justin Smoak even showed a brief spark, belting his first homer since June 19 in the opening frame. But the Mariners first baseman finished 1-for-4 to keep his average at .199. Kansas City fell to 1-3 on its 10-game homestand and has lost six of seven overall. The Royals are a major league-worst 11 games under .500 at home (15-26).

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Root Sports (Seattle), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Blake Beavan (3-6, 5.92 ERA) vs. Royals LH Doug Davis (NR)

Beavan is expected to be recalled from Triple-A after going 4-0 with a 2.61 ERA in six starts for Tacoma. The 23-year-old last pitched for the Mariners on June 10, when he surrendered six runs over only two innings in a loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Beavan, who is 2-4 with a 6.03 ERA in seven road outings, recorded a victory on Sept. 9 in his only career start against Kansas City.

Everett Teaford was scheduled to start for the Royals, but the left-hander was called upon to toss five innings of relief in Monday's series opener. The club will now turn to veteran Doug Davis, who has gone 5-1 with a 3.48 ERA in 10 games - six starts - with Triple-A Omaha. Davis, who signed a minor-league contract with Kansas City in May, went 1-7 in nine starts with the Chicago Cubs last season before being released.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City LHP Jonathan Sanchez lasted only 1 1/3 innings Monday, the shortest start of his major-league career.

2. Seattle SS Brendan Ryan is day-to-day after suffering a bruised knee in the series opener.

3. Royals RF Jeff Francoeur recorded his ninth assist Monday. He is two behind Toronto's Jose Bautista and Arizona's Jason Kubel for the major-league lead among outfielders.