Mariners at Athletics
The Oakland Athletics look to begin a winning streak against the Seattle Mariners after ending a losing one when they host the middle contest of their three-game series on Saturday afternoon. The Athletics scored five of their runs on homers in Friday's 6-2 triumph as they defeated Seattle for the first time in five meetings this season.
Matt Olson belted a three-run homer while Mark Canha and Stephen Piscotty hit solo shots to help Oakland win its seventh straight game. Olson has gone deep five times in his last 11 games and is 6-for-15 over the last four contests. The Mariners, who are 0-4 on their six-game road trip, have dropped eight straight away from home and 15 of their last 17. Seattle stranded 15 runners in Friday's loss, causing manager Scott Servais to bemoan the missed opportunities. "You got to get big hits on the road when you have runners in scoring position," he told reporters.
TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), NBCS California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Yusei Kikuchi (3-1, 3.43 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Mike Fiers (3-3, 5.05)
Kikuchi has gone 2-0 over his last four starts, allowing six earned runs in 26 2/3 innings during the stretch. The 27-year-old from Japan defeated Minnesota in his last turn as he gave up three runs - one earned - and five hits in six frames. Kikuchi has posted a 3.38 ERA in two no-decisions against Oakland while serving up homers to Canha, Olson and the injured Khris Davis.
Fiers has posted two no-decisions since throwing his second career no-hitter, with one coming against Seattle on May 13 as he gave up one run and two hits over five innings. The 33-year-old's only victory in his last eight starts is the no-hitter he tossed against Cincinnati on May 7. Fiers is 2-2 with a 6.36 ERA in 10 career starts against the Mariners and has held Edwin Encarnacion to a 3-for-25 showing, although all three hits were for extra bases (two homers, one double).
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners 3B Kyle Seager (hand) is slated to be activated from the 60-day injured list prior to Saturday's game and make his season debut.
2. Davis (hip/oblique) was placed on the 10-day IL on Friday and OF Skye Bolt was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas.
3. Seattle RHP Connor Sadzeck (finger) departed in the eighth inning on Friday and likely will not be available on Saturday.