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Wedge's Mariners battle Indians in home opener

Apr 8, 2011 - 3:05 PM (Sports Network) - Jason Vargas tries to follow up a solid season debut this evening, when the Seattle Mariners lift the lid on the home portion of their schedule with the opener a three-game set against the Cleveland Indians at Safeco Field.

Vargas held the Oakland Athletics to a run and five hits in 6 2/3 innings on Saturday, but did not factor in the decision of his team's 5-2 win. He also struck out six and walked a batter.

The 28-year-old lefty has split two career starts against the Tribe, but has allowed nine runs in 11 innings of those outings.

Vargas could have his hands full this evening, as he will be facing one of the league's early-season surprises in the Indians, who enter tonight's tilt having won four of their first six games following a three-game sweep of the winless Boston Red Sox that culminated with Thursday's 1-0 victory at Progressive Field.

Adam Everett started the winning rally with a walk against Boston reliever Daniel Bard (0-2) in the eighth and stole second before taking third on a sacrifice by Orlando Cabrera. Everett then broke for home on a 2-1 pitch and Asdrubal Cabrera dropped down a perfect bunt along the third-base line to score the runner with the game's only tally.

"That's a great baseball team over there," Everett said of the Red Sox. "That's not a good team. That's a great team. We caught them at a time where they're a little down -- not swinging the bats like they can."

Indians closer Chris Perez then retired Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Youkilis on ground balls to start the ninth inning before David Ortiz drew a walk. J.D. Drew followed with a hard bouncer that glanced off Perez on the mound and went to Everett at third base. He had no play at first, but pinch-runner Darnell McDonald slipped as he rounded second base and Everett threw to the bag to get McDonald as he tried to scramble back.

"It does nothing but help the confidence that these kids already had," Cleveland manager Manny Acta said of the sweep. "We did beat a very good ballclub. Regardless if they're struggling or not, we won."

Hoping to keep the momentum going tonight for Cleveland will be 24-year-old Carlos Carrasco, who was hit hard in a loss to the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. Carrasco surrendered seven runs and 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings of that one.

This will be the right-hander's first-ever appearance against the Mariners.

The Tribe hasn't been 4-2 since 2007, the last year the team reached the postseason and lost in Game 7 of the ALCS to the Red Sox. That team was managed by Eric Wedge, who is now leading the Mariners.

"Who we're playing is not relevant to me," said Wedge. "But being home and getting back home in front of our fans, I'm really excited about that. I have a house in Seattle and my family is in Seattle, but I don't feel like I've been there in forever."

Wedge's new team, though, is struggling and enters tonight's set following a three-game sweep at the hands of the red-hot Texas Rangers. The Mariners had opened the year with back-to-back wins over the Oakland Athletics, but have dropped four in a row since and scored just 10 runs over the course of the slide.

Seattle won four of its seven meetings with the Indians last season, but the teams split the four matchups held in the Emerald City.

Prior to tonight's contest the Mariners will honor Hall of Fame broadcaster Dave Niehaus, who died of a heart attack Nov. 10 at the age of 75. Niehaus served as the team's play-by-play announcer from its inaugural campaign in 1977 until his death after last season.