Game No. 9: Los Angeles Angels (3-5) vs. Seattle Mariners (5-2)

Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Angels don’t have an answer for Seattle Mariners pitching. They carry a meager .167 batting average with 10 extra-base hits and one walk in four games against the division rival this year, all losses. The lone glimmer of hope in last night’s loss, back-to-back home runs by Albert Pujols and David Freese, was upstaged by Corey Hart’s two-homer night. Nearly losing a season series just two weeks into the season could be detrimental the team’s psyche, which makes tonight’s game so important.

Pitching Matchup– Garrett Richards (1-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. Roenis Elias (0-0, 1.80 ERA)

Garrett Richards busted the Angels out their slump last Friday following Seattle’s opening series sweep. Tonight they ask him to do it again. He gave up three runs-one earned- and struck out seven Houston Astros in leading the Angels to their first win of 2014.

The righty is 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA in three starts against Seattle, including a win at Safeco Field in which he gave up four hits in 7 2/3 innings last August. The northwest has always been kind to Richards, who holds a 3.26 ERA in five games at Safeco.

One week after stifling Oakland A’s batters in his major league debut, 25-year-old Roenis Elias looks to extend the Mariners’ winning streak over the Angels to 5-0. He allowed one run and two hits in five innings, ultimately getting a no-decision in the Mariners’ loss. The Cuban faces a Halo offense that had only one hit after the first inning last night.

Walk offs:

The Angels only have four extra-base hits and a .197 batting average with runners in scoring position this season.
As a team, the Angels won 11 out of 19 games against the Mariners last year.
Last night, Hart homered in his first-ever plate appearance at Safeco Field.

TV: 7:10 p.m. PT, Fox Sports West, ROOT Sports

Radio: KLAA 830 (Los Angeles), 710 ESPN (Seattle)