Athletics at Mariners
The Oakland Athletics grabbed an early lead on Saturday, putting them in position to post their ninth win in 11 games and extend their series unbeaten streak to six. Oakland squandered the advantage, however, but has one more chance to avoid losing its first set since mid-June when it visits the Seattle Mariners on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game series.
The Athletics were ahead 2-0 on Saturday before Seattle launched a pair of two-run homers in the fourth inning and never looked back, ending its three-game slide. Oakland, which has gone 4-0-1 in its last five series, now is in danger of dropping its first set since losing two of three to the Mariners from June 14-16. All-Star Daniel Vogelbach and Kyle Seager provided the power in the fourth frame for Seattle, with the former tying the recently departed Edwin Encarnacion for the team lead in homers (21) and the latter going deep for the first time in 10 contests. Matt Olson went 2-for-4 with a solo blast to extend his hitting streak to six games while Ramon Laureano homered and drove in two runs for the Athletics, who fell to 5-7 against the Mariners this year.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Daniel Mengden (3-1, 4.67 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Matt Carasiti (0-0, 1.80)
After losing his season debut on May 12, Mengden has won three consecutive decisions - two of which were on the road. The 26-year-old Texan recorded his first home victory of the year on Tuesday despite surrendering five runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings against Minnesota. Mengden has yet to defeat Seattle in his career, going 0-2 with a 5.24 ERA in one relief appearance and four starts - including a no-decision at home on May 24 in which he gave up just one run on five hits and five walks over four frames.
Carasiti will fill the role of opener for the fifth time this season before giving way to Wade LeBlanc. The 27-year-old Carasiti started four of Seattle's eight games from June 26-July 4, working one inning in each contest while allowing a total of one run. LeBlanc, who has followed an opener in each of his last six appearances, is 3-1 with a 4.91 ERA in six starts and three relief outings against Oakland in his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. Athletics OF Mark Canha was scratched from Saturday's lineup due to back spasms while LHP Sean Manaea (shoulder/side) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Stockton on Monday.
2. Seattle on Saturday placed Dan Altavilla (forearm) and Austin Adams (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list and recalled fellow RHPs Parker Markel and David McKay from Triple-A Tacoma.
3. Oakland recalled J.B. Wendelken from Triple-A Las Vegas and assigned Paul Blackburn to the Aviators while fellow RHP Aaron Brooks, who went 2-3 with a 5.01 ERA in six starts and nine relief appearances, was claimed off waivers by Baltimore.