Oakland @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2012 ) Oakland 6, Seattle 1

Reeling from a three-game losing streak and seeing their most experienced pitcher suffer a serious head injury, the Oakland Athletics did not have to look far for inspiration in Friday's series opener at the Seattle Mariners. The Athletics hung the jersey of right-hander Brandon McCarthy in their dugout and then proceeded to beat up on Mariners ace Felix Hernandez - the best pitcher in baseball over the past two months - to reclaim the American League wild card lead by one-half game.

Oakland put up six runs against Hernandez, more than they had scored while getting swept in a three-game series by the Los Angeles Angels. McCarthy's injury leaves the Athletics with four rookies in their starting rotation. Seattle ran off an eight-game winning streak last month to get within three games of .500, but its offensive woes have resurfaced in September. The Mariners have scored 14 runs in six games and been held to two runs or fewer four times.

TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, CS California (Oakland), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Brett Anderson (3-0, 0.90 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Hisashi Iwakuma (6-3, 3.14)

Anderson has been spectacular in his return from Tommy John surgery, winning all three of his starts and allowing only two runs on 11 hits in 20 innings. He could be huge down the stretch for Oakland, particularly with the head injury to McCarthy. Anderson limited Boston to one run on five hits in his innings last time out after going seven innings in each of his first two starts. He has been outstanding against Seattle, with a 6-3 record and 1.90 ERA in 12 starts.

If not for the exploits of teammate Hernandez, Iwakuma would be garnering much more acclaim for his superb pitching down the stretch. He has won four straight decisions while allowing only three runs - one earned - in his last four starts. The 31-year-old rookie from Japan has gone 5-1 with a 1.59 ERA in his last eight outings. He's faced Oakland only once, giving up one run in 3 2/3 innings of relief before joining the starting rotation.

WALK-OFFS

1. McCarthy showed positive signs Friday and was in stable condition during his second day after undergoing surgery for an epidural hematoma.

2. Mariners DH Luis Jimenez, who has bounced around the minors since 2001, got his first major-league hit Friday night.

3. Oakland recalled RHP Dan Straily from Triple-A Sacramento to take McCarthy's spot in the rotation. He will start Tuesday against the Angels.