Blue Jays at Mariners
The Seattle Mariners had their winning streak halted in the finale of their 6-3 road trip but look to begin another when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday for the opener of their three-game series. Seattle began its string of four straight wins with a pair in Toronto but had the run halted with Wednesday's 7-6 setback at Tampa Bay.
The Mariners appeared on their way to a three-game sweep of the Rays as they scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to take a lead, only to give up two in the bottom half. J.P. Crawford recorded three hits in the defeat to finish 6-for-12 in the series while Tim Lopes delivered a two-run single to give him hits in eight of his last nine contests. Toronto's losing streak reached five games on Thursday as it squandered a two-run lead in the ninth inning and dropped a 3-2 decision to the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 5-for-7 while the Blue Jays were swept of the three-game set, collecting three hits - including a solo homer - in the finale for his third multi-hit performance in five contests.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, Sportsnet (Toronto), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Trent Thornton (4-8, 5.30 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Justus Sheffield (0-0, 6.00)
Thornton made his first career start against the Mariners on Sunday and did not factor in the decision after permitting three runs on five hits and four walks in six innings at home. Control was not an issue for the 25-year-old rookie from Pittsburgh in his previous four outings as he issued a total of three free passes over 18 2/3 frames. Thornton has struggled on the road of late, surrendering four or more runs in four of his last five turns.
Sheffield has appeared just once for Seattle since being acquired from the New York Yankees in the November trade that sent James Paxton to the Bronx, coming out of the bullpen against Texas on April 26. The 23-year-old's team debut was not an impressive one as he yielded two runs on two hits and four walks in three innings. Sheffield, who will be making his fifth major-league appearance and first start, has combined to go 7-9 with a 4.13 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) with Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners OF Jake Fraley made his major-league debut on Wednesday, going 0-for-3 while being hit by a pitch and scoring a run.
2. Toronto placed Ken Giles on the paternity list and recalled fellow RHP Jordan Romano from Triple-A Buffalo.
3. Seattle sent RHP Austin Adams (shoulder), who has gone 1-1 with a 3.47 ERA in two starts and 19 relief appearances after being acquired from Washington on May 4, to Tacoma for a rehab assignment.