Kansas City @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 8, 2011 ) Kansas City 1, Seattle 4

THE STORY: Four short years ago, Jeff Francis was a 17-game winner for a Colorado Rockies squad that reached the World Series. Now he’s one of the least-successful pitchers in the majors. Only one pitcher in baseball has lost more games than Francis as the Kansas City Royals’ left-hander takes the mound against the Seattle Mariners on Friday. Seattle won the opener of the four-game series, 4-1 on Thursday.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSKC (Kansas City), ROOT (Seattle).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Jeff Francis (5-15, 4.72 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Blake Beavan (3-5, 4.33 ERA)

Francis has lost four of five decisions. He has given up 10 or more hits in three of his last seven outings and opposing batters are hitting .294 against him. Francis lost to Cleveland in his last start when he gave up four runs and nine hits in five innings. Francis lost to Seattle in April in his only career start against the Mariners. He gave up three runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Beavan is 0-3 over his last five starts. The rookie has a 6.44 ERA over his last five starts after going 3-2 with a 2.83 ERA over his first six outings in the majors. Beavan walked a career-high three batters in five innings while losing to Oakland in his last start. He allowed four runs and seven hits. He has never faced the Royals.

ABOUT THE MARINERS (60-83): Thursday’s victory was just Seattle’s second win in eight September games. Ichiro Suzuki went 2-for-3 and is 37 hits away from 200 with 19 games remaining. Ichiro hit the 36th leadoff homer of the career to break a tie with Bobby Bonds and move into sixth place on that list. Ichiro also stole two bases and is now just three shy of his fifth 40-steal season. Justin Smoak hit the decisive two-run homer to end a 48-game homerless stretch. Smoak has 13 homers but hadn’t gone deep since June 12. Brandon League recorded his 34th save in 39 chances Thursday.

ABOUT THE ROYALS (60-85): Kansas City has just one run and seven hits over the past two games. The Royals had just two hits against Oakland on Wednesday before getting just five in the opener against Seattle. First baseman Eric Hosmer had a run-scoring single and also stole his 10th base of the season. Hosmer is just the sixth Kansas City player with 15 homers and 10 steals as a rookie, joining Bo Jackson (1987), Kevin Seitzer (1987), Carlos Beltran (1999), Angel Berroa (2003) and Alex Gordon (2007). Hosmer has 16 homers, with 14 coming on the road. Alcides Escobar was hitless in three at-bats Thursday and is just 3-for-23 in eight career games against the Mariners.

FINAL PITCH: League has converted all 22 of his save opportunities at Safeco Field this season. He has a 1.15 ERA in 32 home appearances.