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Seattle Mariners

Mariners Pregame: Crucial series starts with Royals, lineups and starters

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo throws against the New York Mets in the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 29, 2017, in Seattle. (Ted S. Warren / Associated Press)
By Dave Nichols daven@spokesman.com(509) 459-5441

Game 110: Seattle Mariners (55-54) vs. Kansas City Royals (55-51) at 5:15 p.m. in the first of a four-game series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

The M’s win streak snapped at four games in a 5-1 loss in the finale of a three-game set with the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.

Seattle is 6-4 in its last 10 games and remain 1 1/2 games out of the second wildcard spot. The M’s are 23-27 on the road.

Kansas City enters play 6-4 in its last 10 games, 2 1/2 games behind the Cleveland Indians for first in the A.L. Central and currently holds the first wildcard spot. The Royals have lost three in a row and come off a 6-0 shutout by Baltimore on Wednesday.

Trevor Cahill makes his first home start for the Royals. The lefty was acquired on July 24 from the Padres and was roughed up in his Royals’ debut, allowing five runs and eight hits over four innings in a 9-8 loss to the Red Sox.

Yovani Galardo makes his third start since being reintroduced to the M’s rotation. He’s 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA in two starts since rejoining the rotation, including 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball in a 3-2 win over the Mets in his last outing.

Lineups and starters

Courtesy @MarinersPR
Courtesy @MarinersPR

Starters: RHP Yovani Gallardo (5-7, 5.34) vs. RHP Trevor Cahill (4-3, 4.15)

Mariners Notes

  • The Mariners were hit by pitch two times Wednesday, giving Seattle the dubious distinction of extending their A.L. lead in hit by pitch at 59. They are second in the MLB, behind Pittsburgh with 60. Seattle pitchers have hit 38 opposing batters this year.
  • Seattle had a pair of outfield assists last night, as Jarrod Dyson collected his 10th and Leonys Martin his first. The M’s have recorded 23 outfield assists this season, fifth most in MLB and third-most in the A.L.
  • Since the All-Star Break Kyle Seager has hit in 16 of 19 games, batting .301 (22x73) with 11 runs, 10 doubles, 4 home runs and 8 RBI.
  • Seager has collected 15 doubles in his last 38 games to bring his season total to 28. With two more doubles, he will have recorded five seasons with at least 30 doubles for the Mariners. If that happens, Seager will become the fourth player in club history to post five-or-more seasons with at least 30 doubles, joining Edgar Martinez (9), Ken Griffey Jr. (5) and Raul Ibañez (5).

This Day in Mariners History

In 2002, in just the first four innings, Edgar Martinez ties the major league record for sacrifice flies in a game with three. The Mariners’ designated hitter becomes the 11th player in history to accomplish the feat doing it in his first three at-bats in Seattle’s 12-4 victory over the Indians.