Mariners at Brewers
After a brief respite, the Milwaukee Brewers' recent struggles resumed in the series opener. They look to avoid another losing streak when they host the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday for the middle contest of their three-game interleague series.
Milwaukee had lost seven of eight games overall and five in a row before posting back-to-back home victories against Cincinnati over the weekend. The Brewers were unable to maintain the momentum, however, as they squandered an early lead and dropped an 8-3 decision to Seattle in the opener of their set. Ryan Braun recorded three of Milwaukee's eight hits and scored a pair of runs while Jesus Aguilar ended his hit and RBI droughts (five and six games, respectively) by going 2-for-4 and driving in a run. The Mariners continued their quest to escape the American League West basement, registering their fifth win in six contests as Daniel Vogelbach and J.P. Crawford each recorded two RBIs.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Wade LeBlanc (4-2, 5.44 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Adrian Houser (2-1, 2.27)
LeBlanc is expected to follow an "opener" for the fifth straight time after beginning the season with six traditional starts. The 34-year-old native of Louisiana improved to 2-0 when taking over the reins on Thursday, when he scattered four hits over 6 1/3 scoreless innings against Baltimore. LeBlanc has enjoyed success versus Milwaukee in his career, going 4-1 with a 3.82 ERA in four starts and eight relief appearances.
Houser will be making the third start of his career - all this season - as he replaces Jimmy Nelson in the rotation. The 26-year-old Oklahoman has made 13 appearances out of the bullpen since his last turn, allowing only three earned runs over 25 2/3 innings. Houser never has faced Seattle but has gone 1-0 while giving up two hits over five scoreless frames in three relief outings against AL teams.
WALK-OFFS
1. Crawford has gone 6-for-9 with a homer and six RBIs over his last two games.
2. Milwaukee OF Lorenzo Cain underwent cryotherapy on his right thumb on Tuesday and could return to action later in the week.
3. Seattle bid farewell to RHP Tayler Scott, who was claimed off waivers by Baltimore after posting a 9.39 ERA over five games (two starts) in his first major-league season.