Mariners at Athletics
Two teams heading in opposite directions square off on Wednesday afternoon, when the streaking Oakland Athletics host the struggling Seattle Mariners for the finale of their two-game set. Oakland extended its winning streak to five games as it posted a 9-2 victory in Tuesday's series opener.
All-Star Matt Chapman went 3-for-4 with a homer and five RBIs while Matt Olson also went deep for the Athletics, who improved to 18-5 since June 17 and remained in a virtual tie with Cleveland for the American League's second wild-card spot. Chapman has gone 12-for-22 during his six-game hitting streak, which has featured four multi-hit performances, and collected seven RBIs over his last three contests. Marcus Semien scored three runs for Oakland on Tuesday and registered his fourth multi-hit effort in five games, a stretch during which he is 9-for-23. Omar Narvaez was the story for Seattle offensively, recording half of the team's six hits - including a pair of solo shots for his second two-homer performance in his last two contests against the Athletics - as the Mariners suffered their fifth consecutive loss and eighth in nine games.
TV: 3:37 p.m. ET, MLB Network, ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Erik Swanson (1-5, 8.04 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Homer Bailey (7-6, 4.80)
Swanson was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday and will serve as the "opener" before former Athletic Tommy Milone takes over. The 25-year-old Swanson already has made six starts during his rookie season but has lost five of them, including a setback against Minnesota on May 16 in which he was battered for eight runs and nine hits - four homers - in three innings. Milone, who posted his only double-digit victory seasons with Oakland in 2012 (13) and 2013 (12), is 1-1 with a 6.23 ERA in two career starts against his former club.
Bailey will be making his first start since being acquired from Kansas City on Sunday. The 33-year-old Texan last pitched on July 4, when he settled for a no-decision against Cleveland after giving up two runs and six hits over five frames. Bailey has made two career starts against Seattle, going 1-1 with a 4.97 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Athletics OF Ramon Laureano went 2-for-4 on Tuesday for his fourth two-hit effort in six games.
2. Seattle purchased the contract of 2B Kristopher Negron from Tacoma and designated OF Mac Williamson for assignment.
3. Oakland optioned RHP J.B. Wendelken to Triple-A Las Vegas to create room on the roster for Bailey.