Tampa Bay @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 22, 2012 ) Seattle 2, Tampa Bay 1

Tampa Bay is undefeated since Evan Longoria returned to the lineup and the Rays seek their seventh straight victory when they open a three-game series against the host Seattle Mariners. Longoria missed 85 games with a hamstring injury and Tampa Bay compiled back-to-back three-game sweeps of the Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins since his return. Seattle has won two straight and handed Angels ace Jered Weaver just his second loss Sunday.

Tampa Bay is 3-0 on a 10-game trip, and the Mariners are opening a nine-game homestand. Seattle was just 3-6 on a nine-game swing and now looks for the same type of the success as its previous 8-2 homestand. Miguel Montero homered twice against Weaver for his second career multihomer game. Tampa Bay is suddenly just five games behind the New York Yankees in the American League East and leads the wild-card chase. Longoria has been serving as the designated hitter and is batting .261 with four RBIs since coming off the disabled list.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Alex Cobb (6-8, 4.32 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Blake Beavan (7-6, 5.12)

Cobb has won back-to-back games with strong seven-inning performances in which he allowed just one run in both outings. He struck out seven and didn’t walk anyone while limiting Toronto to five hits in his last start. Cobb lost to the Mariners on July 21 in a game he departed after two innings due to being hit in the right lower leg by Ichiro Suzuki’s hard grounder. He is 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in two career starts against Seattle.

Beavan has won four consecutive decisions. He received a no-decision in his last turn when he allowed four runs and seven hits in six innings against the Baltimore Orioles. Beavan has issued just two walks in 34 1/3 innings in his last five starts. He is 1-1 with a 4.05 ERA in two starts against the Rays this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners OF Michael Saunders was a dreadful 2-for-34 on the club’s nine-game road trip.

2. Rays reliever J.P. Howell hasn’t allowed a run in 22 2/3 innings and is two outs away from surpassing the franchise record held by starter James Shields.

3. Seattle 1B Mike Carp will be re-examined after injuring his left hip during Sunday’s game.