Baltimore @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2012 ) Baltimore 4, Seattle 2

Seattle ace Felix Hernandez is struggling and the host Mariners will face one of their top nemesis when they meet the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. Hernandez has allowed 16 earned runs in 16 innings while losing three straight outings. Orioles starter Joe Saunders is 8-1 all-time against Seattle, regularly beating the Mariners when he pitched for the Los Angeles Angels. Baltimore won an 18-inning marathon Tuesday to tie the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East.

The Orioles have won 14 consecutive extra-inning contests, second in major-league history behind the 17 straight posted by the 1949 Cleveland Indians. Baltimore tallied twice in the ninth inning to force extra frames and Seattle went 0-for-17 with runners in scoring position. Jesus Montero of the Mariners suffered through an 0-for-8 contest while three Baltimore players – Adam Jones, Mark Reynolds and Matt Wieters – were hitless in seven at-bats. Orioles outfielder Nate McLouth has three hits in each of the first two games of the series and scored the go-ahead run on a pinch-hit single by Taylor Teagarden.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network 2 (Baltimore), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles LH Joe Saunders (2-2, 4.30 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (13-8, 2.92)

Saunders is making his fifth start for Baltimore since being acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks. He lost to the Oakland Athletics in his last start when he gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings. Saunders has a 3.75 ERA in 14 career starts against Seattle.

Hernandez had a 2.43 ERA before being touched up for 30 hits over his last three outings. He allowed seven runs and 10 hits in four innings while losing to the Toronto Blue Jays in his last start. Hernandez received a no-decision in his lone start against the Orioles this season when he allowed four runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. He is 5-4 with a 3.65 ERA in 14 career starts against Baltimore.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore has won the first two games of this series and is 7-1 this season against Seattle.

2. Mariners 1B Justin Smoak had three hits Tuesday and is batting .526 (10-for-19) during a five-game hitting streak.

3. Orioles OF Endy Chavez went 0-for-6 in the 18-inning affair but is 6-for-10 in his career against Hernandez.