Orioles at Mariners
Mired in their worst losing streak in nearly a decade, the Baltimore Orioles look to end the skid Saturday when they continue their four-game series against the host Seattle Mariners. Baltimore rallied from a seven-run deficit Friday before losing 10-9 and has been outscored 90-37 during its 10-game losing streak.
Dwight Smith Jr. and Pedro Severino combined for six hits and four RBIs to lead the Orioles, who lost 10 in row from May 26-June 5, 2010. Anthony Santander, Chance Cisco and Chris Davis added two hits apiece to help spark a Baltimore lineup that had scored a total of nine runs in its previous four games. Seattle has won three straight for the first time since April 18-20 with outfielder Mallex Smith providing a boost at the leadoff spot – the 26-year-old was 3-for-3 with four runs scored and two stolen bases in Friday’s victory and has raised his average from .164 to .230 since May 27. Kyle Seager, Mac Williamson and Dylan Moore each homered in the win for the Mariners, who are 18-6 in their last 24 meetings against Baltimore.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Andrew Cashner (6-3, 4.48 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Tommy Milone (1-1, 3.03)
Cashner turned in a quality outing but received a no-decision after holding Oakland to three runs (one earned) on four hits over six innings on Monday. The 32-year-old native Texan posted a 5.91 ERA in six starts last month but has allowed a total of four runs (two earned) in his first two outings in June covering 12 innings. Cashner is 2-5 with a 4.22 ERA in 11 career appearances (10 starts) versus the Mariners – including 1-3 with a 4.15 mark in six games (five starts) in Seattle.
Milone will follow an opener Saturday after pitching well in that role last Monday when he allowed one run with six strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings against Kansas City. The 32-year-old California native was promoted from Triple-A Tacoma last month and has posted a 32-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in six games (three starts) covering 32 2/3 innings. Davis is 5-for-14 with two homers against Milone, who owns a 2-1 record and 2.23 ERA in six career games (five starts) versus Baltimore.
WALK-OFFS
1. Baltimore OF Trey Mancini has missed the past two games with a left elbow contusion but is expected to avoid the injured list.
2. The Mariners recalled Dan Altavilla from Triple-A Tacoma and optioned fellow RHP Tayler Scott to Triple-A Tacoma.
3. Baltimore recalled LHP Tanner Scott from Triple-A Norfolk and RHP Branden Kline from Double-A Bowie while optioning RHP Evan Phillips and LHP Paul Fry to Norfolk.