#126: Mariners Eye Series Victory, Winning Trip

GAME: Mariners (58-67, 3rd, AL West, -14.5 GB) at Athletics (71-54, 2nd, AL West, -1.5 GB). GAME #: 126. SERIES: 3rd of 3 games. MEETING: 16th (Mariners lead 9-6). WHEN: Wednesday, 12:35 p.m., O.Com Coliseum. STREAKS: Mariners W 1; Athletics L 1. TV: Root Sports. RADIO: ESPN 710, Mariners Radio Network

Based on their record after 125 games (58-67), and eliminating a major surge or collapse, the Mariners will probably finish third in the AL West, anywhere from 10 to 15 games behind the Rangers and Athletics. It will be the 12th consecutive year with no playoffs and written off as another lost season.

It sure could have been different. The Mariners have lost 28 games decided by two or fewer runs and 21 times in one-run games. They have suffered 10 walk-off defeats and been beaten 19 times in their opponents’ final at-bat.

Those are killer numbers, and so is this: a Mariners starting pitcher has tossed at least 7.0 innings and allowed one earned run or less 29 times (most recently Aaron Harang Monday). That is tied with Detroit for first in the American League and for third in the majors. The Tigers and Dodgers (30) are nearing division titles and the Mariners are headed toward another Fan Appreciation night.

Another example of lost opportunities: Hisashi Iwakuma ranks eighth in the AL with a 2.95 ERA, is fifth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.71) and second in WHIP (1.00). He’s also tied with Bartolo Colon of Oakland with 10 quality starts without allowing a walk. Iwakuma failed to get a win in four of those starts.

Iwakuma gets the call against Oakland Wednesday afternoon when the Mariners close out a weird three-game series with the Athletics. After another one-run loss in the series opener Monday, the Mariners dug themselves a 4-0 hole Tuesday within the first five batters of the game, then blew the game open with a five-run eighth inning to win 7-4. It marked only the third time in 53 games that Seattle won when trailing after seven innings.

Iwakuma, coming off a 3-1 win at Texas, will be seeking his 12th victory. He’ll oppose A.J. Griffin, a right hander who lost to the Mariners June 15 but is 3-1 lifetime against Seattle.

A victory Wednesday will not only give the Mariners another series victory, it would finish off a winning (5-4) road trip, which seemed unlikely when they began the nine-game swing against playoff contenders Tampa Bay, Texas and Oakland.

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLES

MARINERS: RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (11-6, 2.95 ERA, 1.00 WHIP)

The 32-year-old Iwakuma, a Tokyo native in his second major league season, both with Seattle, will make his 27th start and fifth against the Athletics. Iwakuma is 2-2 with a 3.96 ERA in four meetings against Oakland, splitting a pair in the Bay Area. Iwakuma beat Texas 3-1 Friday to snap a three-start winless streak.

• LAST START: Aug. 16 at Texas, won 3-1; 1 earned run on 4 hits in 7.0 innings; 8 strikeouts, 3 walks, 0 home runs, 94 pitches, 57 for strikes.

• LAST VS. ATHLETICS: June 21 at Safeco, lost 6-3; 4 earned runs on 6 hits in 7.0 innings; 6 strikeouts, 0 walks, 3 home runs, 98 pitches, 70 for strikes.

• CAREER VS. ATHLETICS: 2-4, 4.45 ERA in 6 games, including 5 starts, covering 32.1 innings; 31 strikeouts, 7 walks, 6 home runs, 1.05 WHIP.

• AT O.COM COLISEUM: 1-1, 4.09 ERA in 2 starts covering 11.0 innings; 10 strikeouts, 3 walks, 1 home runs, 1.18 WHIP.

• LOVES TO FACE: Brandon Moss (1-for-12, .083), Alberto Callaspo (2-for-13, .154), Coco Crisp (2-for-13, .154).

• HATES TO FACE: Yoenis Cespedes (6-for-15, .400), Eric Sogard (3-for-8, .375), Josh Reddick (4-for-12, .333).

• CURRENT ATHLETICS VS. SAUNDERS: 24-for-113, .212 BA, 25 strikeouts, 4 walks, 5 home runs, .239 on-base percentage.

RANGERS: RHP A.J. Griffin (10-8, 3.76 ERA, 1.15 WHIP)

The 25-year-old Griffin, an El Cajon, CA., native in his second major league season, both with Oakland, will make his 26th start and third against the Mariners. Griffin has allowed 11 walks in 10.2 innings over his past two starts after allowing 12 over 64 innings in his previous 10. He limited the Indians to a lone unearned run in five innings his last start, walking five and giving up four hits.

• LAST START: Aug. 16 vs. Cleveland, took a no-decision in Oakland’s 3-2 win; 0 earned runs on 4 hits in 5.0 innings; 3 strikeouts, 5 walks, 0 home runs, 104 pitches, 57 for strikes.

• LAST VS. MARINERS: June 15, lost 4-0; 4 earned runs on 8 hits in 6.0 innings; 3 strikeouts, 2 walks, 1 home runs, 107 pitches, 71 for strikes.

• CAREER VS. MARINERS: 3-1, 3.13 ERA in 4 starts covering 23.0 innings; 17 strikeouts, 7 walks, 3 home runs, 1.39 WHIP.

• AT O.COM COLISEUM: 8-3, 3.34 ERA in 20 starts covering 121.1 innings; 91 strikeouts, 34 walks, 15 home runs, 1.21 WHIP.

• LOVE TO FACE: Brendan Ryan (1-for-7, .143), Justin Smoak (1-for-7, .143), Kyle Seager (2-for-11, .182).

• HATES TO FACE: Michael Morse (5-for-6, .833), Kendrys Morales (2-for-6, .333), Nick Franklin (1-for-3, .333).

• CURRENT MARINERS VS. GRIFFIN: 21-for-83, .253 BA, 16 strikeouts, 4 walks, 2 home runs, .284 on-base percentage.

MARINERS STATS / NOTES

• CURRENT ROAD TRIP: Three at Tampa Bay (Tuesday-Thursday), three at Texas (Friday-Sunday), three at Oakland (Monday-Wednesday). Following a day off Thursday, the Mariners will begin a six-game home stand Friday vs. the Angels and Rangers.
• Before Nick Franklin homered and drove in three runs in Seattle’s 7-4 win Tuesday, he had seven hits in his previous 63 at-bats.
• Franklin suffered a knee laceration in the eighth inning Tuesday when he beat a throw to the plate. Franklin received stitches and the injury could keep him out of the lineup for up to a week.
• Seattle won Tuesday (7-4) for just the third time in 53 games when trailing after seven innings.
• Manager Eric Wedge, out since July 22 when he suffered a mild stroke, is expected to be in the dugout Friday when the Mariners begin a three-game set with the L.A. Angels.
• The Mariners had no comment Tuesday on multiple reports that GM Jack Zduriencik had received a one-year contract extension.

UPCOMING PROBABLES