Seattle @ Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 24, 2011 ) Seattle 5, Florida 1

THE STORY: The home venue changed but Florida’s losing ways didn’t and the Marlins will again seek a rare June victory when they meet the Seattle Mariners in Saturday’s second game of a three-game series. Florida was the host team in Seattle due to its ballpark being unavailable due to a U2 concert but dropped to 2-21 this month with a 5-1 loss. The Marlins had just two hits as Mariners ace Felix Hernandez struck out 10 and also had the first hit by a pitcher in Safeco Field history. Florida is now 1-3 under new manager Jack McKeon.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, ROOT, FSFL.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Jason Vargas (5-4, 3.75) vs. Marlins RH Chris Volstad (2-7, 5.65).

Vargas pitched a masterful three-hitter against Philadelphia in his last outing for his second career shutout, both coming this month. The other was a four-hit blanking of Tampa Bay on June 3. Vargas has a 2.23 ERA in June while holding opposing batters to a .169 average. Vargas has never pitched against the Marlins, the organization he initially reached the majors with in 2005.

Volstad has lost six straight decisions since last winning on April 26. He lost to Tampa Bay in his last outing despite allowing just one run and six hits in seven innings. Volstad was pounded for eight runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings by Philadelphia in his previous start. He is 2-2 with a 4.91 in eight career starts against AL teams but has never faced Seattle.

ABOUT THE MARLINS (33-43): Hanley Ramirez and Gaby Sanchez had Florida’s only hits on Friday. Ramirez scored the run when John Buck struck out on a wild pitch. Right fielder Mike Stanton struck out in all four at-bats Friday and has fanned 76 times in 248 at-bats. Logan Morrison was hitless in three at-bats and is just 4-for-33 over his last nine games. Two-time All-Star pitcher Josh Johnson (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Friday and is on track to begin a rehab assignment around July 1. Johnson’s anticipated return is shortly after the All-Star break. Reliever Ryan Webb (shoulder) could be available Saturday. His most-recent outing was last Sunday. The Marlins are 13-21 all-time against AL West teams.

ABOUT THE MARINERS (38-38): Franklin Gutierrez had the key hit in Friday’s victory with a go-ahead, two-run single with the bases loaded in the seventh. Gutierrez entered the contest with just six RBIs in 102 at-bats. The comeback victory was Seattle’s AL-leading 19th of the season. Miguel Olivo hit his 12th homer to tie Justin Smoak for the team lead. Ichiro Suzuki was hitless in four at-bats as his 11-game hitting streak ended. Ichiro batted .426 (20-for-47) during the streak. Rookie second baseman Dustin Ackley walked twice and has reached base in all seven games since being recalled. Seattle starters have allowed just two earned runs in 29 innings over the last four games. The Mariners improved to 6-4 against NL teams.

FINAL PITCH: Vargas is looking forward to batting at Safeco Field. He often was used as a designated hitter in college at Long Beach State and batted .354 with five homers in 2004. “Getting to hit in front of the home crowd will be fun,” Vargas said. “It probably won’t happen again, so we’ll try to take advantage of it.”