The Seattle Mariners try to go back over .500 when they continue their three-game series against the woeful Baltimore Orioles this evening at Safeco Field.
The Mariners won for the fifth time in six games on Monday, as Casey Kotchman's two-run homer punctuated a seven-run third inning that propelled Seattle to an 8-2 win.
Doug Fister (2-1) tossed a gem for the Mariners, flirting with a no-hitter before Baltimore's Nick Markakis singled to begin the top of the seventh. Fister had allowed just two baserunners -- a hit batsman and a walk to Nolan Reimold -- until that point, with both coming in the first inning.
Markakis was quickly erased on a double-play grounder in the seventh, but Matt Wieters singled and later scored on Luke Scott's double. Fister then retired Lou Montanez to finish his outing.
"It's amazing to me his composure on the mound for such a young pitcher," Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu said of Fister.
Baltimore starter Brad Bergesen (0-2) was tagged for seven runs -- four earned -- on six hits and three walks in 2 2/3 innings. Jason Berken succeeded Bergesen and hurled 3 1/3 scoreless innings.
Bergesen, who has pitched to a 12.19 ERA in his three starts, was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday morning.
"I care so much about this team," Bergesen said after last night's game. "To not chew up innings and put that workload on the bullpen, it just absolutely kills me right now."
The Orioles have won just twice through their first 14 games of the season and have been held to two or fewer runs seven times this year.
Heading to the hill for the Mariners tonight will be lefty Jason Vargas, who was far better than his initial outing of the season in his second time out. Vargas picked up the win on Wednesday against Oakland, as he allowed two runs and five hits in six innings. He had surrendered five runs in 5 1/3 innings of his season debut.
Vargas is 0-1 in three starts against the O's, while pitching to a 2.81 ERA.
Baltimore will counter with righty David Hernandez, who is 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA. Hernandez's latest loss came Thursday in Oakland, where he was hit for five runs (4 earned) and seven hits in five innings.
"He needs to throw strikes, be consistent with all of his pitches, stay away from the big inning and get deep in the game," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said of Hernandez. "His pitch count's too high. In the fourth or fifth inning, he's well over 100 pitches."
Hernandez has faced the Mariners twice and is 0-1 with a 5.56 ERA.
Seattle won five of its nine meetings with the Orioles last season, but the two teams split the six matchups at Safeco.
stake: 9/10
picks: 1
odds: 2.01
bookmaker: paddypower
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