#64: Mariners Need Bounce Back Against Yankees

GAME: Yankees (36-26, 2nd, AL East, -1.0 GB) at Mariners (27-36, 4th, AL West, -10.5 GB). GAME #: 64. SERIES: 4th of 4 games. MEETING: 7th (series tied 3-3). WHEN: Sunday, 1:10 p.m., Safeco Field. STREAKS: Mariners L 1; Yankees W 1. TV: Root Sports. RADIO: ESPN 710, Mariners Radio Network

After going 5-0-1 in a six-series stretch from April 25-May 16, the Mariners are 1-2-4 in their past seven, have fallen from second place to fourth in the AL West, and are in danger of losing another set when they close out a four-game stand with the New York Yankees Sunday. While the Yankees have taken two of three, including a 3-1 decision Saturday, Felix Hernandez will go for Seattle in the finale, always a good thing.

Hernandez, who ranks fourth in the AL with a 2.58 ERA, second in innings pitched (90.2) and fourth in strikeouts (95), has put together a season of streaks — a three-game losing streak April 6-17, then a four-game winning streak April 22-May 8, followed by two losses and two wins.

Hernandez pitched one of his best games in a no-decision at Yankee Stadium May 14 when he allowed one earned run on five hits in 6.0 innings with 8 strikeouts. Sunday, he’ll oppose David Phelps, whose career against the Mariners amounts to one relief appearance.

Sunday’s game will mark New York’s final appearance of the season at Safeco Field.

SUNDAY’S PROBABLES

MARINERS: RHP Felix Hernandez (7-4, 2.58 ERA, 1.04 WHIP)

The 27-year-old Hernandez, in his ninth major league season, all with Seattle, will make his 14th start and second against the Yankees. After losing two in a row May 19 and May 25, Hernandez has come back with consecutive victories, although he allowed an un-Felix-like four earned runs in his last outing, against San Diego. Hernandez has pitched into the seventh inning in eight starts. Also uncharacteristically, Hernandez has yielded 15 earned runs in his past four.

• LAST START: June 4 at San Diego, won 7-4; 4 earned runs on 6 hits in 7.1 innings; 8 strikeouts, 1 walk, 1 home run, 108 pitches, 67 for strikes.

• LAST VS. YANKEES: May 14 at Yankee Stadium, took a no-decision in Seattle’s 4-3 loss; 1 earned run on 5 hits in 6.0 innings; 8 strikeouts, 2 walks, 1 home run, 97 pitches, 61 for strikes.

• CAREER VS. YANKEES: 8-5, 2.99 ERA in 15 starts covering 108.1 innings; 91 strikeouts, 42 walks, 10 home runs, 1.27 WHIP.

• AT SAFECO FIELD: 53-37, 3.18 ERA in 124 starts covering 858.2 innings; 825 strikeouts, 235 walks, 68 home runs, 1.18 WHIP.

• LOVES TO FACE: Francisco Cervelli (0-for-8, .000), Lyle Overbay (3-for-17, .176), Brennan Boesch (2-for-10, .200).

• HATES TO FACE: Jayson Nix (5-for-12, .417), Robinson Cano (16-for-43, .372), Ichiro (2-for-8, .250).

• CURRENT YANKEES VS. HERNANDEZ: 104-for-390, .267 BA, 94 strikeouts, 43 walks, 13 home runs, .343 on-base percentage.

YANKEES: RHP David Phelps (4-3, 4.15 ERA, 1.29 WHIP)

The 26-year-old Phelps, a South Bend, IN., native in his second major league season, both with New York, will make his eighth start, 14th appearance, and first against the Mariners. Phelps began the season in the New York bullpen and didn’t make his first start until May 1 when he took a no-decision against Houston. He beat Toronto 7-2 May 18 for his first victory as a starter and is coming off a 4-3 win over Cleveland. The Yankees selected Phelps in the 14th round of the 2008 amateur draft out of the University of Notre Dame.

• LAST START: June 4 vs. Cleveland, won 4-3; 0 earned runs on 1 hit in 6.0 innings; 7 strikeouts, 4 walks, 0 home runs, 102 pitches, 64 for strikes.

• LAST VS. MARINERS: July 25, 2012, working in relief, won 5-2; 0 earned runs and 0 hits in 1.1 innings; 2 strikeouts, 0 walks, 20 pitches, 14 for strikes.

• CAREER VS. MARINERS: 1-0, 0.00 ERA in 1 relief appearance covering 1.1 innings; 2 strikeouts, 0 walks, 0.00 WHIP.

• AT SAFECO FIELD: Same as career vs. Mariners.

• LOVES/HATES TO FACE: Phelps has faced three Mariners. Kendrys Morales is the only one to get a hit (1-for-3).

• CURRENT MARINERS VS. PHELPS: 1-for-7, .143 BA, 1 strikeouts, 0 walks, 0 home runs, .143 on-base percentage.

MARINERS STATS / NOTES

• CURRENT HOME STAND: Three vs. the White Sox (Monday-Wednesday), four vs. the Yankees (Thursday-Sunday), three vs. the Astros (Monday-Wednesday). The Mariners are amid 20 games in 20 days with their next day off Thursday.
• Kyle Seager extended his hitting streak to 12 games Saturday and is batting .367 over that span. Seager has two hitting streaks of at least 12 games this season.
• Brandon Bantz made his major league debut Saturday and went 0-for-2 while playing catcher.
• Nick Franklin, who went 1-for-4, is hitting .304 during the home stand.
• Mariano Rivera’s save against the Mariners Saturday was the 36th of his career against Seattle.
• After 63 games, the Mariners are 27-36. They had the same record after 63 games in 2012.

UPCOMING PROBABLES