Cleveland @ Seattle preview
T-Mobile Park
Last Meeting ( May 17, 2012 ) Seattle 5, Cleveland 6
Two teams heading in opposite directions square off as the Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners begin their three-game series at Safeco Field. After losing the opener of its nine-game homestand, Seattle has reeled off five straight victories, including a triumph over Minnesota on Sunday that completed a three-game sweep. The Mariners have captured seven of their last eight games overall and 12 of 13 in their own ballpark.
Conversely, Cleveland kicked off its nine-game road trip with a win before dropping five in a row. The Indians were shut out for the sixth time this season on Sunday as Oakland finished off a three-game sweep. Cleveland has lost seven of its last nine overall and 18 of 22 to fall 11 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox in the American League Central. The Indians, however, have taken four of their first five meetings with the Mariners this year.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), Root Sports (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Ubaldo Jimenez (9-12, 5.62 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Kevin Millwood (4-10, 4.28)
Jimenez lost for the fifth time in six decisions Tuesday, surrendering eight runs and eight hits over four innings in Los Angeles against the Angels. The 28-year-old Dominican has yielded five or more runs five times over his last seven outings. Jimenez has won both of his career starts versus Seattle, including a home triumph May 16 in which he allowed three runs over six innings.
Millwood has posted just one victory in his last 14 starts. He settled for a no-decision against Tampa Bay on Tuesday despite allowing only two runs in seven innings. The 37-year-old is 4-2 in seven career outings versus Cleveland. Millwood escaped with a no-decision against the Indians at home April 17 after yielding seven runs over four frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Jimenez, who is looking to reach 10 wins for the fifth straight year, is 4-9 with a 7.54 ERA in 14 road starts this season.
2. The Mariners have allowed a total of eight runs during their winning streak, while the Indians have surrendered 38 during their skid.
3. Seattle has won eight in a row against AL Central opponents.