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Mariners' RHP Baek looks for first win vs. Royals

Apr 29, 2007 - 3:14 PM Kansas City (8-16) at Seattle (9-10) 4:05 pm EDT

SEATTLE (Ticker) - Cha Seung Baek takes the mound as he continues to fill in for the injured Felix Hernandez as the Seattle Mariners host the Kansas City Royals in the rubber game of a three-game series on Sunday.

Baek (0-0, 8.31 ERA) will try and take the series for the Mariners, who had their four-game winning streak snapped on Saturday.

Hernandez has been out since being pulled in the first inning of his last start on April 19 with stiffness in his elbow. He is targeting a May 10 return date, but for now Baek will have to continue to assume his role.

In his first start of the season in place of Hernandez against Texas the 26-year-old righthander did not allow a hit for the first three innings before stumbling in the fourth and allowed four runs in 4 1/3 innings and got a no-decision in a 5-4 win on Monday.

The Royals will counter with Brian Bannister (0-0, 6.23), who takes the ball in hopes of helping the Royals to just their second series win of the season.

In his last start the 26-year-old Bannister received a no decision, as he allowed four runs - three earned - and five hits in 4 1/3 innings in a 9-7 loss to Chicago on Tuesday.