Rangers at Mariners
The Seattle Mariners have been the most productive offensive team in the majors and look to rack up another big run total when they host the Texas Rangers on Friday in the second contest of a four-game set. The Mariners rolled to a 14-2 triumph in the series opener to raise their major league-leading run total to 177.
Tim Beckham hit Seattle's 57th homer - most in the majors - and had three RBIs while Ryon Healy (three RBIs), Dee Gordon (two) and Dylan Moore (one) each had three hits. The offensive splurge halted a three-game slide and was just the Mariners' fourth victory in the past 13 games. Texas is 0-4 to start a seven-game road trip and has allowed 37 runs during the stretch. Rangers slugger Joey Gallo is hitless in seven at-bats over the past two games after enjoying a 14-of-29 stretch in which he had four homers and 11 RBIs.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Shelby Miller (1-1, 7.63 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Yusei Kikuchi (1-1, 4.68)
Miller picked up his first win in just over 24 months when he beat the Houston Astros on Friday as he allowed four runs (three earned) and five hits over 5 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old has struggled with his control and has issued 13 walks while striking out just six in 15 1/3 frames over four starts. Miller defeated Seattle in his lone career outing against the club when he gave up two runs (one earned) and three hits over five innings in 2013 when he was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Kikuchi, who beat the Los Angeles Angels for his first major league win in his last outing, will likely pitch just one inning before left-hander Justus Sheffield comes in to handle the next few frames. Seattle is interested in limiting the number of innings Kikuchi throws - he is at 32 2/3 through six starts, hence the decision to handle Friday's pitching plans in this manner. The 22-year-old Sheffield will be recalled Friday from Triple-A Tacoma - he is 0-1 with a 3.93 ERA in four appearances (three starts) - to make his Mariners debut after being acquired in the offseason deal that sent James Paxton to the New York Yankees.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners OF Domingo Santana delivered a two-run double in the opener to increase his American League-leading RBI count to 29.
2. Texas 3B Asdrubal Cabrera (calf) departed Thursday's game after the first inning and his status will be determined Friday.
3. Seattle signed LHP Jon Niese and RHP Tyler Cloyd to minor league contracts and both veterans will report to Triple-A Tacoma.