Seattle @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 10, 2011 ) Seattle 2, LA Angels 4

THE STORY: Things are finally looking up for the Seattle Mariners, who have won three straight games and five of their last seven. After last month's team-record 17-game losing streak, that definitely counts as progress. On Friday, the Mariners put their momentum to the test when they visit the Los Angeles Angels, who are 15-4 in their last 19 home games.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, Root Sports, Fox Sports West

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Jason Vargas (6-10, 4.19 ERA) at Angels RH Jared Weaver (14-5, 1.88 ERA)

Vargas has gone 0-5 with a 6.84 ERA in his last five starts. He gave up six runs - four earned - over 5 1/3 innings last Sunday against Tampa Bay. Vargas is 3-3 with a 2.64 ERA in nine games - eight starts - against the Angels.

Weaver is making his scheduled start while he appeals a six-game suspension for his actions last Sunday against Detroit, when he threw at Alex Avila after Carlos Guillen's lengthy home run trot. Weaver, whose 1.88 ERA leads the majors, saw his his eight-game win streak snapped against the Tigers. He is 12-4 lifetime with a 3.28 ERA and two complete games against Seattle.

ABOUT THE MARINERS (48-62): Seattle made a minor transaction Thursday when it optioned outfielder Greg Halman to Triple-A Tacoma, but the move could lead to the promotion of top prospect Trayvon Robinson, who was acquired from the Dodgers last week. Robinson is batting .289 with 26 home runs in Triple-A this season, but he has also struck out 122 times in 416 plate appearances. If Robinson doesn't get the call, journeyman Wily Mo Pena will likely replace Halman, who was hitting just .230 with two home runs in 30 games. The Mariners also announced that designated hitter Jack Cust has been released after being designated for assignment last week. Cust batted .213 with three home runs in 67 games. First baseman Justin Smoak is questionable for Friday's game after taking a grounder off his left thumb Tuesday. While X-rays were negative, Smoak could be headed to the disabled list if his thumb doesn't improve by Sunday.

ABOUT THE ANGELS (61-51): Four rocky starts were enough for Angels manager Mike Scioscia, who decided Thursday to move starter Joel Pineiro to the bullpen. In his last four starts, Pineiro was 0-3 with a 14.85 ERA, giving up a total of 22 earned runs and 29 hits over 13 1/3 innings. In his last start on Wednesday against the Twins, Pineiro gave up seven runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. Scioscia hasn't said who will replace Pineiro in the rotation, but it could be Hisanori Takahashi, who made 12 starts for the Mets last season. Scioscia made a few lineup changes Thursday and it paid off in a 7-1 win over the Twins. Alberto Callaspo was moved to the second spot in the batting order, and Torii Hunter moved to the third spot, where he went 3-for-3 on Thursday. Of course, most of the damage came from rookie Mark Trumbo, who batted sixth and drove in four runs with his second home run in his last three games. Trumbo is the first rookie in Angels history to lead the team in home runs (21) and RBIs (62).

FINAL PITCH: Fifty-six of Seattle's 110 games this season have been decided by two or fewer runs.