Mariners look to capitalize on reeling India
Seattle has relied on pitching mostly in their hot streak.
Mariners look to capitalize on reeling India
Having lost five straight games with their offense struggling, the last place the Cleveland Indians need to head is pitcher-friendly Safeco Field to take on the Seattle Mariners.
The Mariners have won five straight in Seattle and 12 of their last 13 there, helping the team garner the second-best home record since the All-Star break. They hope to build on that further when they host the Indians in the first game of a three-game set Monday.
Seattle has relied heavily on its pitching during its hot streak, allowing eight runs in the stretch. Manager Eric Wedge said a big part of the stretch has been improved offense and plate discipline as well.
"Offense, I think, has been better, but we're still not to the point where we need to be just yet, but that's OK," Wedge said. "For me, it's not just end results."
Kevin Millwood will head to the mound for Wedge's Mariners. He didn't factor into the decision on Wednesday after Seattle rallied in the ninth inning against Tampa Bay thanks in large part to an error by Rays first baseman Carlos Pena. Millwood still pitched well, allowing just a pair of runs in seven innings on eight hits and a walk to go with eight strikeouts.
"He had to work," Wedge said. "He had to work in multiple innings, but I've talked to you guys about that before, he's the best that I've ever seen in regard to working out of trouble and managing situations and executing pitches, especially when things get a little thick out there."
Ubaldo Jimenez will get the nod for the Indians on Monday and is looking for a win after earning just one in his past seven starts. On Thursday, he lasted only four innings against the Angels, allowing eight runs on eight hits and two walks with four strikeouts in his 12th loss on the year.
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_08_20_clemlb_seamlb_1&mode=preview&vkey=preview_web_home&c_id=sea
