Seattle @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 6, 2011 ) Seattle 5, LA Angels 1

THE STORY: The Seattle Mariners might be 13 games behind the Los Angeles Angels in the win column, but they’re proving to be a worthy opponent this weekend. After the Angels needed 10 innings to win 1-0 on Friday, the Mariners rebounded Saturday to win for just the third time at Angel Stadium in their last 20 games. The teams conclude the series on Sunday with a quality pitching matchup on tap.

TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, Root Sports; Fox Sports West

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (9-9, 3.38 ERA) at Angels RH Ervin Santana (7-8, 3.32 ERA).

Hernandez gave up two runs over 6 1/3 innings against Oakland last Tuesday. He is 4-8 with a 4.11 ERA in 22 career starts against the Angels. The Mariners are 1-5 in his last six starts against a team with a winning record. Santana became the first pitcher since 1991 to throw a complete-game win in his first start after a no-hitter when he went the distance against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. He is 9-5 lifetime with a 3.83 ERA against the Mariners.

ABOUT THE ANGELS (62-52): As expected, Jered Weaver dropped the appeal of his six-game suspension after pitching on Friday against the Mariners. He should be eligible to pitch on Saturday in Toronto. After considering several options in the minors, including top pitching prospect Garrett Richards, the Angels have reportedly decided to move Hisanori Takahashi into the starting rotation to replace Joel Pineiro, who was moved to the bullpen after four straight rocky starts. Takahashi, who has pitched solely in relief this season, is expected to make his first start Wednesday against the Yankees. Pineiro will work in long relief as he attempts to regain his spot in the rotation. Weaver, Santana and Dan Haren have posted a 7-1 record with a 1.03 ERA in their last nine combined starts, but the Angels have struggled to find any consistency with their fourth and fifth starters.

ABOUT THE MARINERS (49-63): It’s only been two games, but the Mariners have to be thrilled by what they’ve seen of rookie Trayvon Robinson, who was acquired from the Dodgers at the trade deadline as part of the Erik Bedard deal. After robbing Torii Hunter of a home run and getting his first major league base hit on Friday, Robinson blasted his first home run on Saturday. The 23-year-old left fielder was having a stellar season in Triple-A, and he looks to be a centerpiece of the Mariners’ rebuilding plans. A total of nine rookies have made their major league debuts with the Mariners this year, the most of any team in baseball. Five rookies were in the lineup on Saturday, including Robinson, second baseman Dustin Ackley, third baseman Kyle Seager, designated hitter Mike Carp and starting pitcher Blake Beavan, who threw an impressive eight innings in just his sixth major league start.

FINAL PITCH: The Angels’ Bobby Abreu doubled on Saturday to pass Tony Gwynn (543) for 26th all-time.