Seattle @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 19, 2012 ) Minnesota 1, Seattle 5

Felix Hernandez seeks his ninth consecutive victory when the Seattle Mariners open a four-game road series against the Minnesota Twins. Hernandez hasn’t lost since June 12 against the San Diego Padres and hurled a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays two starts ago. He’ll also attempt to end Seattle’s three-game losing streak. Minnesota defeated the Texas Rangers on Sunday to snap a five-game skid and win for only the third time in 17 games.

Twins star Joe Mauer has always performed well against Hernandez, boasting a .448 average in 29 at-bats against the Seattle ace. Mauer has two homers and four doubles among his 13 career hits against Hernandez. Mauer is expected to be back behind the plate after playing first base Sunday and the catching appearance will be his 796th as a member of the Twins, breaking Earl Battey’s club mark. Seattle had won 10 of 11 games before being swept by the Chicago White Sox. The Mariners have hit homers in nine consecutive games.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), Fox Sports North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (12-5, 2.54 ERA) vs. Twins RH Liam Hendriks (0-6, 7.06)

Hernandez has allowed two or fewer runs in 11 of 13 starts since his last loss. He beat the Cleveland Indians in his last outing when he gave up one run and seven hits in 7 2/3 innings. Hernandez blanked Minnesota on one hit over eight innings on May 5. He is 5-5 with a 2.40 ERA in 13 starts against the Twins.

Hendriks is winless in nine starts this season and 13 over his brief major-league career. He lost to the Oakland Athletics in his last outing when he gave up four runs and six hits in five innings. Hendriks has allowed 10 homers in 43 1/3 innings, and opponents are batting .341 against him. He took a no-decision against Seattle last season when he allowed four runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota OF Ben Revere went 4-for-4 in Sunday’s victory over Texas for his sixth career four-hit game.

2. Mariners OF Michael Saunders (groin) hopes to return to the lineup after missing consecutive games.

3. Twins 1B Justin Morneau (.138 in 29 at-bats) and Denard Span (.111 in 18 at-bats) have struggled against Hernandez.