Rangers at Mariners
Mike Leake looks to follow up an outstanding performance when the Seattle Mariners conclude their three-game series against the visiting Texas Rangers on Wednesday afternoon. Leake took a perfect game into the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday before settling for a one-hit shutout.
The 31-year-old Leake retired the first 24 Angels he faced before Luis Rengifo broke up the gem with a leadoff single in the ninth inning. Leake could be making his final start for Seattle as he is heavily mentioned in trade rumors with the club not part of the playoff picture. The Mariners have lost 16 of their last 20 games after Texas recorded a 7-2 victory on Tuesday to halt an eight-game losing streak. Rougned Odor belted two homers, Nomar Mazara hit a prodigious 458-foot blast into the upper deck and Shin-Soo Choo homered on the first pitch of the game, but All-Star slugger Joey Gallo (wrist) departed after the top of the eighth inning and is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on Wednesday.
TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Mike Minor (8-5, 2.86 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Mike Leake (8-8, 4.27)
Minor served up four solo homers in seven innings while losing to Houston in his last start. The 31-year-old All-Star is winless over his last three turns, giving up 11 runs in 16 1/3 frames as his name swirls in trade rumors. Minor is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 13 innings against Seattle this season to improve 3-3 with a 4.04 ERA in 10 career contests (seven starts).
Leake was 0-2 in a three-start stretch prior to his stellar effort, including an outing in which he allowed seven runs - four earned - and recorded just two outs against the Angels on July 12. The veteran also delivered a strong outing against the Cardinals on July 3, when he allowed five hits over 7 2/3 shutout innings during a no-decision. Leake is 1-3 with a 4.60 ERA in eight career starts against the Rangers but has posted a 10.80 ERA and served up five homers while losing two starts this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners 2B Dee Gordon (quadriceps) was placed on the 10-day injured list, INF Tim Lopes was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma and RHP Parker Markel was designated for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster for Lopes.
2. Texas optioned struggling 1B Ronald Guzman to Triple-A Nashville and recalled RHP Pedro Payano, who picked up his first career win on Tuesday as he registered seven strikeouts and gave up one run and three hits in five innings of relief.
3. Seattle RF Domingo Santana (elbow) departed Tuesday's game after the second inning and will undergo an MRI exam on Wednesday.