New York @ Seattle preview
T-Mobile Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 13, 2011 ) NY Yankees 3, Seattle 2
THE STORY: Fans at Safeco Field may have a chance to witness history Wednesday when Mariano Rivera and the New York Yankees attempt to complete a three-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners. Rivera became the second player in major-league history to reach the 600-save plateau on Tuesday. His next save will tie him with Trevor Hoffman for the all-time lead. New York remained four games ahead of the Boston Red Sox in the American League East with Tuesday's victory. Seattle has lost 10 of its last 13.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, YES Network (New York), Root Sports (Seattle), ESPN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Ivan Nova (15-4, 3.94 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Jason Vargas (8-13, 4.49 ERA).
Nova has not lost since June 3 at Los Angeles, going 11-0 in his last 13 starts. The 24-year-old settled for a no-decision Thursday at Baltimore after allowing three runs in 5 1/3 innings. Nova struggled in his only career outing against Seattle on May 28, surrendering four runs over 3 2/3 frames at Safeco Field but escaped with a no-decision.
Vargas posted just his second win in 12 starts Thursday against Kansas City, allowing one run over six innings. The triumph also halted a four-game home losing streak for the 28-year-old. In two losses to New York earlier this season, Vargas surrendered 14 runs - 10 earned - over just seven innings.
ABOUT THE MARINERS (61-87): Ichiro Suzuki was caught stealing to end the game Tuesday. The star remains one stolen base away from his fifth career 40-steal campaign. Manager Eric Wedge is hopeful infielder Chone Figgins can return to action before the season closes. Figgins has not played since Aug. 1 due to a strained right hip. The 33-year-old was hitting a paltry .188 with one home run and 15 RBIs prior to the injury.
ABOUT THE YANKEES (90-57): New York began to get healthier Tuesday as Nick Swisher returned to his normal spot in right field and Russell Martin was back behind the plate. Swisher missed three games with an elbow injury before starting at first base Monday. Martin went 0-for-3 after sitting out two contests with a bruised thumb. Derek Jeter extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a single in the first inning. The captain has a franchise-record 43 hitting streak of 10 games or more. A.J. Burnett uncorked a pair of wild pitches, bringing his season total to 25 - the most in the majors since
Matt Clement had 23 in 2000 with San Diego.
FINAL PITCH: Nova is one victory away from matching the club record for consecutive wins by a rookie. Russ Ford won 12 in a row in 1910 and Atley Donald duplicated the feat in 1939.