Toronto @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 30, 2012 ) Toronto 1, Seattle 4

Jason Vargas seeks his fifth consecutive victory and attempts to end a hot month in style when the Seattle Mariners host the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. The Mariners are looking for a season-best sixth straight win - and having Vargas on the mound certainly helps the chances as he is 4-0 with a 1.46 ERA in five July starts. Toronto lost Monday’s opener to fall into last place in the American League East.

The Blue Jays fanned 15 times in a 4-1 loss that featured Seattle’s Hisashi Iwakuma setting a franchise rookie record with 13 strikeouts. It was the second straight game in which the high-powered Toronto offense recorded just one run. Seattle has won 12 of its last 18 games. The two teams made a deal that was announced following Monday’s game – the Mariners sent reliever Steve Delabar to the Blue Jays for Triple-A outfielder Eric Thames. Seattle also traded struggling reliever Brandon League to the Los Angeles Dodgers for two minor leaguers in outfielder Leon Landry and pitcher Logan Bawcom. The Blue Jays also dealt outfielder Travis Snider to the Pittsburgh Pirates for pitcher Brad Lincoln.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Aaron Laffey (2-1, 3.22 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Jason Vargas (11-7, 3.76)

Laffey is making his seventh start for Toronto. He received a no-decision against the Oakland Athletics in his last outing when he gave up four runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings. Laffey was a reliever for Seattle for most of the 2011 season. He is 1-1 with a 3.53 ERA in six career starts against the Mariners.

Vargas allowed just one run and one hit in eight innings while dominating the Kansas City Royals in his last outing. He hasn’t allowed a homer in either of his last two starts after permitting at least one in 12 consecutive outings. Vargas lost to Toronto earlier this season when he gave up two runs and four hits in six innings. He is 0-3 with a 6.49 ERA in five career starts against the Blue Jays.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays 3B Brett Lawrie struck out four times and Rajai Davis fanned three times in Monday’s opener.

2. Mariners closer Tom Wilhelmsen was away from the team Monday due to the expected birth of his first child.

3. Toronto DH Adam Lind (back) was placed on the disabled list but the Blue Jays hope to get OF Jose Bautista (wrist) back later this week.