(SportsNetwork.com) - Felix Hernandez will try to avoid some more tough luck and keep his record perfect at Petco Park on Wednesday evening as the Seattle Mariners shift their series against the Padres to San Diego.
Hernandez has not allowed more than two runs in six straight outings, winning the first four games of that stretch before coming up empty in back-to-back solid outings.
The right-hander fanned 15 over seven scoreless innings of a no-decision versus Tampa Bay on June 8, then lost a 1-0 decision to Texas on Friday. Hernandez allowed four hits and two walks over 8 1/3 innings, getting charged with the lone run and the loss after Seattle failed to turn a potential game- ending double play.
Closer Fernando Rodney came on to relieve Hernandez after he gave up a one-out single to Elvis Andrus, who stole second during Shin-Soo Choo's at-bat and then later third base when Choo drew a walk off Hernandez.
Rodney got Adrian Beltre to hit a bouncer to shortstop, but Robinson Cano's throw to first base from second was wide, allowing Andrus to cross the plate safely.
Hernandez dropped to 8-2 with a 2.29 earned run average on the season and will make the 12th start of his career versus the Padres. He is 5-0 with a 1.54 ERA in six previous outings at Petco Park, which will serve as host for the final two contests of this four-game home-and-home series.
The Mariners won both contests at home to begin this series, claiming Tuesday's encounter 6-1 on two-run homers by Cano and Jesus Montero as well as Kyle Seager's two-run double.
Montero's homer was his first since May 8 of last year and also came in his first career start at first base. Seattle recalled the former top prospect from the minors last Thursday.
"I really appreciate the opportunity the Mariners are giving me again. It was really hard for me, what I was going through last year," said Montero, the club's former starting catcher who was demoted to the minors last season and later suspended for 50 games for his involvement with Biogenesis.
Roenis Elias provided seven solid innings for the Mariners, conceding just one run on three hits with six strikeouts and no walks to help stretch Seattle's winning streak to three straight following five consecutive losses.
Rene Rivera's homer was one of just four San Diego hits. Eric Stults was reached for four runs -- three earned -- over five frames for the Padres, who have dropped three straight and eight of their last nine.
"We've battled," said Rivera. "I haven't seen a guy in here hang his head down."
San Diego starter Andrew Cashner is set to make his third start tonight since returning from the disabled list and is aiming to win for the first time since April 16.
Cashner had allowed just seven earned runs in his previous five outings before a loss to the New York Mets on Friday. The righty allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks over six innings while losing his fifth decision in a row.
Cashner, 27, is 2-6 with a 2.47 ERA on the year and 0-1 lifetime versus the Mariners with a 5.63 ERA in two games with one start.
San Diego split four games with the Mariners last season.
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