Indians at Mariners
The Cleveland Indians look to rebound from a rough series in Kansas City when they send Trevor Bauer to the mound on Monday for the opener of a three-game set against the host Seattle Mariners. The Indians were cruising along with five straight wins after knocking off Detroit in the first game of their road trip before dropping four of five, including three straight at Kansas City in which they allowed a total of 20 runs.
The good news for Cleveland is that three-time All Star Carlos Gonzalez joined the lineup and went 1-for-5 in his team debut on Sunday, second baseman Jason Kipnis (calf) is set to return from the injured list and shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf/ankle) is expected to start a rehab assignment soon. Bauer tries to right things for the Indians’ pitching staff as he goes for his second victory of the season against Yusei Kikuchi, who has yet to receive a decision in his first four major-league appearances. The Mariners lead the American League West but are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of visiting Houston over the weekend after coming up short 3-2 on Sunday. Seattle has been the best offensive team in the majors through the first few weeks of the season and are led by Domingo Santana, who is batting .333 with four homers and an AL-leading 23 RBIs after going 1-for-4 on Sunday.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Trevor Bauer (1-1. 2.29 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Yusei Kikuchi (0-0, 4.15)
Bauer suffered his first loss last time out, allowing four runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings at Detroit, after two dominant starts to open the season. The 28-year-old UCLA product, who has registered 24 strikeouts in 19 2/3 frames this year, permitted one run and one hit over 14 innings in his first two turns. Ryon Healy is 4-for-11 with a double and four RBIs versus Bauer, who is 1-4 with a 4.60 ERA in eight career games against Seattle.
Kikuchi left his start against the Royals on Wednesday due to leg cramps but is expected to be ready on four days' rest after allowing three runs and five hits over six innings. The 27-year-old rookie from Japan has struck out 15 batters and walked just three while serving up four home runs in 21 2/3 frames. Left-handed hitters are just 1-for-11 against Kikuchi, who has posted two quality starts in his first four major-league outings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Seattle 1B-DH Edwin Encarnacion belted 70 homers and knocked in 214 runs in two seasons with Cleveland before joining the Mariners in a three-team trade in December.
2. The Indians designated INF Brad Miller (.250 batting average, four RBIs) for assignment after Sunday's game to make room for Kipnis.
3. Mariners OF Mitch Haniger is 8-for-21 with three doubles, a triple, three homers and six RBIs over his last five contests.