Royals at Mariners
It's been more than a month since the Seattle Mariners have enjoyed a winning streak of any kind, yet they've managed to avoid a skid for nearly half of that stretch. The Mariners attempt to post consecutive victories for the first time since May 13 and 14 on Monday, when they host the Kansas City Royals for the opener of their three-game series.
Seattle has alternated wins and losses since June 5 and continued that trend Sunday with a 6-3 victory in the rubber match of a three-game series in Oakland that wrapped up a 5-4 road trip. Kyle Seager sparked a four-run outburst in the eighth inning, putting the Mariners ahead for good with a two-run double in the team's first game since trading American League home-run leader Edwin Encarnacion to the New York Yankees. The AL Central-worst Royals avoided a sweep with Sunday's 8-6 triumph over division rival Minnesota despite being outhit 15-9. Jorge Bonifacio and Martin Maldonado each drove in a pair of runs and combined for five hits as Kansas City improved to 4-10 this month.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Danny Duffy (3-3, 4.38 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Tommy Milone (1-1, 3.42)
Duffy was able to avoid a third loss in as many starts Wednesday against Detroit, but he was stuck with a no-decision despite permitting only two runs and four hits - all doubles - while registering seven strikeouts in a season-high seven innings. The former third-round draft pick has gone 0-2 with a 5.56 ERA during his four-game winless streak after posting a 3.57 ERA while recording three straight victories. Seager is 6-for-19 with a home run versus Duffy, who is 1-2 with a 2.54 ERA in nine career games (seven starts) against Seattle.
Seattle manager Chris Woodward is expected to use an "opener" before turning things over to Milone, who fared reasonably well at Minnesota on Wednesday after following Gerson Bautista. The 32-year-old Milone has not allowed more than three runs in any of his five outings but has surrendered at least one homer in four straight after serving up two to the Twins. Alex Gordon is 4-for-16 with two doubles and a homer versus Milone, who is 5-4 with a 3.66 ERA in 13 career appearances (12 starts) against Kansas City.
WALK-OFFS
1. There has been at least one home run hit in each of the Mariners' first 75 games - the longest such single-season streak in major-league history.
2. Seattle is 18-42 since completing a four-game sweep of the Royals on April 11 to improve to 13-2.
3. Kansas City has been outscored by only 25 runs on the road despite sporting a 9-25 record away from home.