Mariners 6 - 5 Guardians
Final
  for this game

Young leads Mariners into rubber match with Tribe

Jul 31, 2014 - 2:39 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Chris Young goes after his 10th win of the season on Thursday when the Seattle Mariners play the rubber match of their three-game series with the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.

Young, who hasn't won more than nine games in a season since going 11-5 with San Diego in 2006, continued his remarkable comeback season on Saturday against Baltimore, as he scattered two hits over seven scoreless innings to improve to 9-6, while lowering his ERA to 3.04.

The 35-year-old, of course, did not pitch in the majors last year due to shoulder issues, but ranks 10th in the American League in ERA and is fourth in opponents' batting average (.212).

"I think he's getting stronger," manager Lloyd McClendon said. "We've been very conscious watching his pitch count and giving him the sixth day whenever we have the opportunity and I think it's paying off."

Young is 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA in two starts against the Indians

Cleveland, meanwhile, will turn to righty Zach McAllister, who has lost his last six decisions. McAllister's most recent setback came on Saturday in Kansas City, as the Royals ripped him for six runs (5 earned) and eight hits in just four innings.

Since his last victory April 21, the right-hander has gone 0-6 with a 7.65 ERA in nine major league starts.

"My last two outings here, I had a really good mix," McAllister said. "[Against the Royals], I didn't do that. I think that's something I have to realize -- whether it's out there or in the dugout, whenever it is -- I have to mix my pitches up."

McAllister is 0-2 with a 5.60 ERA in five career starts against Seattle.

Felix Hernandez may have made history on Wednesday, but Cleveland's Corey Kluber stole the show, as he tossed a three-hit shutout in the Indians' 2-0 win.

"It's obviously a challenge going against one of the best pitchers in the game," said Kluber. "I think we all look forward to challenges. It was nice to come out on top."

Kluber became the first pitcher since Jim Scott of the White Sox in 1914 to go nine innings and face 28 batters in two straight starts and became just the fourth pitcher to throw an 85-pitch shutout against an American League team in the past 20 years.

Hernandez (11-3) was tagged with the loss despite giving up just two runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts over seven frames. However, the right-hander set an MLB record for allowing two or fewer runs in at least seven innings in 14 straight games, breaking Tom Seaver's mark.

"It's an honor. It means a lot to me," Hernandez said about the record. "I just have to continue to be consistent and keep doing what I'm doing."

Seattle mustered just three hits to lose for the sixth time in its past eight games.

The Mariners took two of three from the Tribe during a three-game series in Seattle last month.






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