Toronto @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 29, 2012 ) Seattle 2, Toronto 7

Fresh off their first four-game sweep in seven years, the Seattle Mariners seek another victory when they host the Toronto Blue Jays in Monday’s opener of a three-game series. The suddenly hot Mariners are 11-6 since the All-Star break after victimizing the Kansas City Royals for the franchise’s first four-game sweep since 2005 against the Los Angeles Angels. Toronto has won six of its last nine games.

The Blue Jays are concerned about starter Ricky Romero, who has lost a career-worst six straight starts. Romero has a 10.48 ERA during the stretch, and referred to his performance as “pathetic” after lasting just 1 1/3 innings against the Oakland Athletics in his most-recent outing. Seattle has won five of seven games since dealing longtime star Ichiro Suzuki to the New York Yankees. Third baseman Kyle Seager leads the American League with 36 two-out RBIs.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet One (Toronto), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Ricky Romero (8-7, 5.75 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Hisashi Iwakuma (1-2, 4.56)

Romero has been awful during his winless streak and has allowed eight runs three times. One of those occasions was his last outing, when he walked six and gave up four hits in 1 1/3 innings against Oakland. Romero took a no-decision against Seattle on April 27 when he gave up three runs (two earned) and four hits in 6 2/3 innings. He is 1-1 with a 3.51 ERA in six career starts against the Mariners.

Iwakuma received no-decisions in each of his last two starts despite pitching well both times. He gave up two runs in six innings against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 20 and then allowed just one run in five innings against the New York Yankees on Wednesday. Iwakuma pitched one inning of relief against Toronto in late April and allowed a grand-slam homer to Edwin Encarnacion.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle C Jesus Montero is batting .352 with 12 RBIs since the All-Star break.

2. Toronto’s Adam Lind (back) has missed three straight games and might be placed on the disabled list as soon as Monday.

3. Mariners SS Brendan Ryan is batting just .154 in 13 career at-bats against Romero.