Mariners 2 - 3 Marlins
Final
  for this game

Mariners turn to Maurer in Miami

Apr 20, 2014 - 11:05 AM (SportsNetwork.com) - Right-hander Brandon Maurer makes his first outing of 2014 on Sunday afternoon when the Seattle Mariners visit the Miami Marlins to close out a three-game series at Marlins Park.

Maurer gets the call thanks to a spate of injuries on the Seattle pitching staff, which has seen hurlers James Paxton and Blake Beavan put onto the 15- day disabled list, along with All-Star Hisashi Iwakuma.

Maurer made 22 appearances in his rookie season -- including 14 starts -- in 2013. He was 3-8 in those starting assignments with a 6.20 earned run average.

In four games at Triple-A Tacoma this season, he's posted a 2.16 ERA.

"Just try to go out there and throw my best, not look too much into it opportunity-wise," Maurer said. "Just go out there and try to win a ballgame."

Miami hands the ball to Kevin Slowey while hoping he can match the effort put out on Saturday by Henderson Alvarez, who tossed a two-hit shutout in the Marlins' 7-0 triumph.

It was Miami's seventh straight interleague victory and Seattle's fifth straight loss.

Slowey, meanwhile, gets the call in place of Brad Hand, who's struggled as a starter. He made four relief outings to begin the season after going 1-6 in 14 starts for Miami last season.

He's 2-2 in five career starts against the Marlins while with Minnesota.

On Saturday, Alvarez (1-2) didn't issue a walk and struck out four in his third career shutout and complete game. He also went 1-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored.

"You can tell in the first inning, he came out and his [velocity] was up, 94-95," Miami manager Mike Redmond said. "I think for him that was a good sign. You could just sense his intensity and the way he was executing his pitches. You could tell he was on a mission tonight. He was going to do everything he could do to win that ballgame, and he did."

Marcell Ozuna hit a three-run home run and drove in four, while Casey McGehee also drove in a run for the Marlins, who have won three of four.

Roenis Elias (1-2) gave up six runs -- four earned -- on eight hits with five walks and five strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings for the Mariners, who have dropped five straight and seven of eight.

This is the Mariners' first trip to Miami since 2008 and their first- ever visit to Marlins Park. Miami holds a 5-4 edge in the all-time series.






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