Mariners at Angels
The Seattle Mariners look to halt a six-game losing streak when they visit the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday for the opener of a four-game set. Seattle opened the season with a franchise-best 13-2 start but the good times evaporated and Wednesday's 1-0 loss to the Cleveland Indians culminated an 0-6 homestand.
The Mariners have scored just nine runs over the past five games and they failed to homer for the first time Wednesday after setting a major league record by hitting at least one in 20 consecutive games to open the season. "You're not going to win many ball games when you strike out 13, 14 times," Seattle manager Scott Servais told reporters after his club struck out 14 times and had just three hits. "You've got to get the ball in play and allow some things to happen offensively." The Angels suffered a three-game sweep at the hands of the host Texas Rangers and are hoping star Mike Trout (groin) can return to center field during the Seattle series after serving as the designated hitter against the Rangers. "It doesn’t really bother me, obviously, when I run straight, but it’s gotten a lot better than it (was)," Trout told reporters. "I’m just happy to be in the lineup. Obviously, I want to play center field but that’s going to be the approach every day.”
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (1-1, 4.38 ERA) vs. Angels RH Chris Stratton (0-1, 5.54)
Hernandez lost to the Kansas City Royals in his last turn as he served up two homers and allowed three runs and six hits over six innings. The 33-year-old defeated the Angels on April 1 when he gave up three runs (one earned) and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings. Hernandez is 17-18 with a 3.56 ERA in 54 career starts against the Angels and has struggled with Trout (31-for-85 with eight homers and 20 RBIs).
Stratton lost to Seattle when matched up against Hernandez earlier this month as he gave up four runs and seven hits over 4 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old has failed to reach five innings in any of his three starts and is struggling with his control (10 walks in 13 innings). Stratton has served up just one homer so far after giving up 19 in 28 appearances (26 starts) for the San Francisco Giants last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Los Angeles RF Kole Calhoun failed to get a hit in seven of his past nine appearances to drop his average to .169.
2. Seattle RF Mitch Haniger (sinus infection) was scratched Wednesday but is expected to be ready for the series opener against the Angels.
3. Trout has reached base in all 15 games in which he has played.