Football
Associated Press 16y

Tigers-Mariners Preview

The Seattle Mariners still own the worst record in the American League, but are playing significantly better since Jim Riggleman took over as manager.

The Mariners look to build off their most recent victory as they continue a four-game home set with the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night.

Seattle (34-52) beat Detroit 4-1 on Friday to draw even in the first two games of the set. The result also improved the Mariners to 9-5 since Riggleman replaced the fired John McLaren on June 20.

"We're going to try to get back to .500," first baseman Richie Sexson told the Mariners' official Web site. "Every team has to have a goal."

While that could be a serious challenge, the Mariners are trying to win their fourth straight series since Riggleman took over. Jose Lopez drove in a pair of runs and Raul Ibanez hit a 414-foot solo homer for Seattle, which has won eight of 11 and hitting .290 under Riggleman. The Mariners hit .252 in 72 games under McLaren.

Lopez is 4-for-9 with three RBIs in this series and 8-for-19 with three RBIs in his last four games against Detroit (43-43), which has lost three of four since winning six in row and fell to 6-2 against Seattle.

Though the Mariners are playing with confidence, they likely won't have an easy time against Detroit rookie Armando Galarraga (7-2, 3.40).

While Galarraga is trying to extend his personal winning streak to five, he's allowed seven earned runs in 10 2-3 innings his last two starts, failing to factor in either decision.

The right-hander gave up three earned runs and nine hits in six innings of a 5-4 victory at Minnesota on Monday as the Tigers improved to 11-2 in games Galarraga starts.

He will make his first appearance against Seattle.

After pounding out 15 hits in an 8-4 victory in Thursday's series opener, Detroit had just seven against Erik Bedard and two Seattle relievers Friday. Miguel Cabrera went 2-for-4 with his 12th homer for the Tigers, who went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

"We had some chances and couldn't get a big hit," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said.

Cabrera is 3-for-9 in the series after missing Wednesday's game with a hip injury. He is batting .406 (13-for-32) with a homer and six RBIs in eight games versus Seattle this season.

R.A. Dickey (2-4, 4.53) looks to bounce back after pitching well enough to win his most recent start. He allowed two runs and nine hits in 6 1-3 innings of a 2-0 home loss to Toronto on Monday.

"I felt good about (my performance)," Dickey told the Mariners' official Web site.

The right-hander is 1-4 with a 6.93 ERA in five starts this season and 3-1 with a 6.55 ERA in four career starts against Detroit.

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