It's been a pretty successful road trip thus far for the Detroit Tigers. That could change on Wednesday, though, when they face Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners in the middle test of a three-game series at Safeco Field.
Hernandez was brilliant on Opening Day, but has been denied his 100th career win with losses in each of his last two starts, His most recent setback came to the Texas Rangers on Thursday, as he allowed four runs (3 earned) and 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings, dropping him 1-2 to go along with a 3.05 ERA.
"It wasn't a struggle," said Hernandez. "I was making good pitches, but I was just a little bit off. I'm 100 percent. I'm just missing my spots a little bit. It's a long season."
Hernandez could get himself right on Wednesday, as he owns a 9-2 lifetime mark against the Tigers with a 2.65 ERA in 12 starts.
But, Hernandez will be going up against a red-hot Tigers team that started this nine-game trek with a series win over Oakland before winning the opener with the Mariners. Miguel Cabrera went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer and four RBI on Tuesday, as Detroit rolled, 6-2.
Detroit, winners in three straight, received another solid effort out of Doug Fister (3-0), who scattered two runs on four hits over seven innings of work.
Austin Jackson, who has reached base safely in all 13 games, had a triple among his two hits along with two runs scored, a stolen base and an RBI. Torii Hunter also had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 10 games and knocked in a run, while Victor Martinez added three hits in the victory.
The recently acquired Aaron Harang (0-1) made his Seattle debut, lasting five innings and allowing three runs on seven hits with six strikeouts. He was acquired last week from the Colorado Rockies.
"Once I got out there and got through that first inning, felt like I was able to get more of a rhythm, but I felt good," said Harang. "I was really please with the fact that I didn't have any walks, so I was happy about that."
The Mariners had just four hits, with Kendrys Morales and Michael Morse each driving in a run in the setback.
Heading to the hill for the Tigers on Wednesday will be righty Max Scherzer, who is 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA. Scherzer did not get a decision against the Athletics on Friday, but was terrific, as he surrendered just one earned run and struck out 11 in six innings.
Scherzer has faced the Mariners five times and is 4-1 with a 3.09 ERA.
Seattle was 5-1 against the Tigers last season.
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