#93: Mariners Begin Final Push Before Break

GAME: Angels (44-46, 3rd, AL West, -9.0 GB) at Mariners (40-52, 4th, AL West, -14.0 GB). GAME #: 93. SERIES: 1st of 3 games. MEETING: 11th (Angels lead 6-4). WHEN: Friday, 7:10 p.m., Safeco Field. STREAKS: Mariners L 3; Angels W 1. TV: Root Sports. RADIO: ESPN 710, Mariners Radio Network

Expected to contend for, if not win, the AL West, the Los Angeles Angels will instead reach the All-Star break as the division’s most underachieving team. Even if they sweep all three weekend games from the Mariners, the Angels will finish the first half only one game above .500, certainly not what they had in mind when they signed free agent Josh Hamilton to a contract valued at $125 million.

Hamilton struggled early, endured injuries, recovered slightly, but still hasn’t come around. He will enter the final series before the All-Star break batting .229 and with an on-base percentage of .289, making him leader in the clubhouse for free agent bust of the year.

Had Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik had his way, Hamilton would have been a Mariner. Zduriencik’s inability to lure Hamilton last winter likely saved Zduriencik’s job, but Zduriencik does not wiggle off the hook entirely. He and manager Eric Wedge were supposed to have delivered at least a .500 team this season, but haven’t. Not that they still can’t, but overcoming the deficit they already face in the AL West — 14 games — will be a tall task.

Joe Saunders starts the process of ending the first half on an positive note when he faces the Angels Friday. Saunders is working on his longest winning streak of the season — two games — and will oppose Jerome Williams, who is 4-1, 2.74 in five career starts against the Mariners, including 2-0, 3.98 at Safeco Field.

The last time Williams pitched against Seattle, May 21, the Angels breezed 12-0, Seattle’s worst erasure of the campaign.

Key guy for the Mariners to contain this weekend is Mike Trout, who’s hitting .330 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs. He’s been murder on the Mariners with a .459 batting average, a 1.240 OPS and a cycle.

FRIDAY’S PROBABLES

MARINERS: LHP Joe Saunders (7-8, 4.51 ERA, 1.42 WHIP)

The 32-year-old Saunders, a Fairfax, VA., native in his ninth major league season and first with Seattle, will make his 19th start and second against the Angels. Saunders has yet to beat his former teammates in two tries, though he’s allowed just three runs in 14 innings in two losses, including a 1-0 complete-game setback June 19 in Anaheim. Saunders held the Reds to one run in seven innings in his last outing.

• LAST START: July 7 at Cincinnati, won 3-1; 1 earned run on 6 hits in 7.0 innings; 2 strikeouts, 0 walks, 0 home runs, 101 pitches, 64 for strikes.

• LAST VS. ANGELS: June 19 at Anaheim, lost 1-0; 1 earned run on 6 hits in 8.0 innings; 3 strikeouts, 2 walks, 0 home runs, 100 pitches, 58 for strikes.

• CAREER VS. ANGELS: 0-2, 1.93 ERA in 2 starts covering 14.0 innings; 7 strikeouts, 4 walks, 1 home run, 1.28 WHIP.

• AT SAFECO FIELD: 10-3, 2.80 ERA in 17 starts covering 103.0 innings; 55 strikeouts, 33 walks, 10 home runs, 1.18 WHIP.

• LOVES TO FACE: Albert Pujols (0-for-8, .000), Mike Trout (1-for-7, .143), Chris Iannetta (1-for-6, .167).

• HATES TO FACE: Alberto Callaspo (4-for-12, .333), Howie Kendrick (2-for-6, .333), Josh Hamilton (4-for-13, .308).

• CURRENT ANGELS VS. SAUNDERS: 20-for-78, .256 BA, 11 strikeouts, 7 walks, 2 home runs, .314 on-base percentage.

ANGELS: RHP Jerome Williams (5-4, 4.16 ERA, 1.30 WHIP)

The 31-year-old Williams, a Honolulu native in his eighth major league season and third with the Angels, will make his 12th start, 23rd appearance and second against the Mariners. Williams has split the 2013 season between L.A.’s rotation and bullpen, and has been in the rotation exclusively since June 12 when he defeated Baltimore 9-5. He had his best start May 21 when he defeated Seattle 12-0 at Angels Stadium.

• LAST START: July 6 vs. Boston, took a no-decision in L.A.’s 9-7 victory; 4 earned runs on 7 hits in 3.0 innings; 1 strikeout, 1 walk, 0 home runs, 61 pitches, 37 for strikes.

• LAST VS. MARINERS: May 21, won 12-0 at Angels Stadium; 0 earned runs on 6 hits in 8.0 innings; 6 strikeouts, 2 walks, 0 home runs, 107 pitches, 67 for strikes.

• CAREER VS. MARINERS: 4-1, 2.74 ERA in 5 games, including 3 starts, covering 49.1 innings; 37 strikeouts, 8 walks, 2 home runs, 0.89 WHIP.

• AT SAFECO FIELD: 2-0, 3.98 ERA in 5 games, including 2 starts, covering 20.1 innings; 17 strikeouts, 5 walks, 1 home run, 0.98 WHIP.

• LOVES TO FACE: Brendan Ryan (0-for-14, .000), Justin Smoak (1-for-14, .071), Endy Chavez (1-for-7, .143), Dustin Ackley (4-for-21, .190).

• HATES TO FACE: Jason Bay (2-for-5, .400), Raul Ibanez (3-for-8, .375), Michael Saunders (5-for-14, .357).

• CURRENT MARINERS VS. WILLIAMS: 25-for-120, .208 BA, 27 strikeouts, 5 walks, 1 home run, .256 on-base percentage.

MARINERS STATS / NOTES

• CURRENT HOME STAND: Four vs. Boston (Monday-Thursday), three vs. the Los Angeles Angels (Friday-Sunday). The end of the Angels series coincides with the start of the All-Star break.
• Kyle Seager’s 14th home run Thursday extended the club’s streak of homers to 19 consecutive games with at least one, tying a club record set Sept. 7-27, 1999. The home run also extended Seager’s hitting streak to 11 games, a season high.
• Prior to Thursday’s game, the Mariners recalled RHP Erasmo Ramirez and optioned RHP Carter Capps to the Rainiers to make room on the 25-man roster. Capps went 2-2, 6.37 in 33 relief appearances.
• Ramirez received the start and allowed seven earned runs, but took a no-decision in Seattle’s 8-7, 10-inning loss. Seven earned runs allowed is the highest total of Ramirez’s brief major league career.
• The extra-inning game Thursday was Seattle’s 14th, a total that leads the American League. The Mariners are 6-8 in extra frames.
• Rookie Nick Franklin was held out of the series finale Thursday with a bothersome right knee. He left the game in the seventh inning Wednesday.
• The Mariners outrighted the contract of Jeremy Bonderman to the minor leagues Thursday, but he declined the assignment and elected free agency.

UPCOMING PROBABLES