Mariners at Yankees
In dire need of a victory, the slumping Seattle Mariners unleashed a lot of frustration to finally end a string of futility against one of their biggest nemesis. After ending a seven-game losing streak at Yankee Stadium with a 10-1 drubbing on Wednesday night, the Mariners have a chance to salvage a split of the four-game series against the New York Yankees on Thursday night.
Third baseman Ryon Healy led the 14-hit attack for Seattle, joining Ken Griffey Jr. as the only players in franchise history with a home run and three doubles in a game. Edwin Encarnacion also went deep -- his fourth in five games -- as the Mariners won for just the second time in 10 games overall and improved to 4-15 in their last 19 in the Bronx. DJ LeMahieu and Mike Tauchman collected two hits apiece for New York, which had five total in losing for the fifth time in the last 18 games. The Yankees will send left-hander J.A. Happ to the mound to face Mike Leake in the series finale before starting a stretch of 13 straight against American League East rivals Tampa Bay and Baltimore.
TV: 6:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), WPIX (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Mike Leake (2-3, 4.91 ERA) vs. Yankees LH J.A. Happ (1-3, 4.93)
Although he is winless since April 6, Leake did manage to snap a three-start losing streak with six solid innings at Cleveland last time out, giving up three runs on seven hits over six innings of a no-decision. The inability to keep the ball in the park continues to plague the 32-year-old, who has surrendered 11 homers over his last six outings. Right-handed batters are hitting a robust .373 against Leake, who is 0-2 with a 5.54 ERA in both career starts against the Yankees and has struggled against LeMahieu (5-for-12).
Happ had a streak of three straight quality starts snapped last time out versus Minnesota, taking the loss after he was charged with four runs and seven hits, including a pair of homers, over 5 2/3 innings. He picked up his first win in his previous turn by blanking San Francisco on five hits over seven scoreless innings, avoiding the long ball that has plagued him this season (nine in seven starts). Tim Beckham is 7-for-22 with two homers off Happ, who has compiled a 4-2 record and 5.06 ERA in seven starts versus Seattle.
WALK-OFFS
1. LeMahieu is batting .487 (18-for-37) during a 10-game hitting streak, including multiple hits in seven contests.
2. Healy has a major league-leading 16 doubles, one more than his total from last year.
3. Yankees 3B Gio Urshela exited Wednesday's game with a left knee contusion after fouling a ball off his leg.