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Orioles turn to Arrieta in clash with Mariners

May 30, 2011 - 2:35 PM (Sports Network) - Jake Arrieta takes aim at win No.7 this afternoon when the Baltimore Orioles open a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.

Arrieta won for the fifth time in his last six decisions on Wednesday against Kansas City, as he allowed two runs and five hits in six innings. He also struck out seven and walked three, improving to 6-2 on the season to go along with a 4.57 earned run average.

Baltimore has totaled eight or more runs in just six games, and the 25-year- old Arrieta has been on the mound for three of them.

"I don't know [why I get so much run support], it's a good feeling though," Arrieta said. "It takes the pressure off me and makes my job a little bit easier. But the mentality is the same, no matter if it is a one-run game, a tie game or a lopsided ballgame. You still got to go out there and force contact, and keep the team in the game."

Arrieta, who trails Boston's Jon Lester by one for the American League lead in wins, didn't get a decision against the Mariners back on May 10 in his only other appearance against them, as he yielded two runs and four hits in six innings.

Baltimore will be happy to be playing anywhere other than Oakland, where it was swept this weekend and has now lost 12 of its last 13 there following Sunday's 6-4 setback.

Vladimir Guerrero, Nick Markakis, Felix Pie and Nolan Reimold each knocked in a run for the Orioles, who had won five straight coming into the weekend.

Zach Britton (5-3) was tagged in the loss for 10 hits and six runs over 5 2/3 innings.

Seattle was denied a sweep in its three-game series with the New York Yankees on Sunday, falling 7-1.

Jason Vargas (3-3) was pummeled for six runs on five hits and four walks in only three innings for the Mariners, who had won nine of 10 and were looking for their first-ever three-game sweep of the Yankees at Safeco Field.

Seattle's only run came on Justin Smoak's homer in the sixth, but by that time the Yankees had already pushed across seven runs to pull away.

Getting the call for the Mariners today will be righty Doug Fister, who is 2-5 with a 3.18 ERA. Fister absorbed the loss on Tuesday in Minnesota, as he allowed four runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings. He also struck out six without walking a batter in the loss.

Fister has faced the Orioles twice in his career and is 1-0 against them with a 3.00 ERA.

Baltimore swept a three-game series from the Mariners earlier in the year and has won six of the last eight meetings. The O's, though, have dropped six of eight at Safeco.