Minnesota @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 18, 2012 ) Minnesota 2, Seattle 3

Safeco Field has suddenly become a haven of victories for the Seattle Mariners, who look for a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins in Sunday’s finale. Seattle won Saturday’s contest on a ninth-inning sacrifice fly by John Jaso for its 11th victory in its last 12 home games. The Mariners had an unsightly 18-29 home mark before the hot streak and can reach the .500 mark with another win. Minnesota has lost four consecutive games.

The Twins have the worst record in the American League and are a season-worst 19 games below .500. Minnesota has lost eight of its last nine contests and has topped four runs only twice during the stretch. Recently recalled outfielder Matt Carson had a career-high three hits in Saturday’s loss. Seattle second baseman Dustin Ackley is in the midst of an 8-for-17 stretch after cranking out three hits and first baseman Justin Smoak smacked his team-high 14th homer despite just returning from a three-week stint at Triple-A Tacoma.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), Root Sports (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Samuel Deduno (4-0, 3.38 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Blake Beavan (7-7, 5.17)

Deduno is making his eight start of the season. He hasn’t lost despite walking 30 batters in only 40 innings. Deduno defeated the Detroit Tigers in his last start when he gave up three runs and five hits in seven innings. He has never faced Seattle.

Beavan had a four-game winning streak snapped by the Tampa Bay Rays in his last outing. He allowed four runs and eight hits in six innings. Beavan has walked just two batters over his last six starts. He took a no-decision against Minnesota last September when he allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota C Joe Mauer has two hits in three straight games and has a .366 career mark in 53 games against Seattle.

2. Mariners C Jesus Montero is only 1-for-16 over his last four games.

3. Twins OF Ben Revere (ankle) could play in the finale for the first time since being injured Wednesday.