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Padres pay a visit to Safeco

Jul 1, 2011 - 3:07 PM (Sports Network) - The San Diego Padres know there is plenty of time left to make a run at the National League West crown.

The Seattle Mariners may want to find a little sense of urgency.

The Padres shoot for a season-best fifth straight victory while the Mariners hope to avoid a fourth consecutive loss in tonight's opener of a three-game series at Safeco Field.

San Diego is coming off its first series sweep of the season, taking all three games over Kansas City to begin the week. Victories in seven of eight have pulled the Padres out of last place in the NL West and into sole possession of fourth place for the first time since May 16. The Friars were just 4 1/2 games back of first place at that point, but are currently nine games back of the front-running Giants.

San Diego will play its final 10 games on the road before the All-Star break, including a four-game stay at San Francisco next week, and closer Heath Bell knows there are still enough games left to make a run.

"I think we all understand the situation. We still have a long road in front of us to get caught up," said Bell.

Bell did his part on Wednesday, working out of a jam in the ninth inning to finish off a 4-1 victory over the Royals and earn his 16th straight save opportunity. He has also converted 57 of his last 58 save chances.

Anthony Rizzo had a two-run single in the victory and Tim Stauffer tossed seven innings of one-run ball to finish off San Diego's first sweep since Sept. 6-8.

"I think everyone has been pitching in. The pitching has been doing a good job," Padres outfielder Ryan Ludwick said about their recent success. "Winning is much better than losing, so we're enjoying this right now."

Starter Dustin Moseley could find Nick Hundley behind the plate for tonight's opener after the catcher missed his fourth straight game due to a right elbow injury.

Moseley, meanwhile, had gone unbeaten in five straight starts -- though he recorded just one victory in that span -- before taking a loss to the Braves on Saturday. The right-hander gave up three runs -- two earned -- on five hits and four walks over 5 2/3 innings of a 10-1 setback. He has a 2.50 earned run average over his past six starts, but fell to 2-7 with a 3.03 ERA in 15 starts this season.

The 29-year-old has faced the Mariners seven times in his career, including two starts, and is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA.

Seattle found itself just a half-game back of first place in the AL West after Jason Vargas pitched the club to a victory over the Phillies on June 19, but the Mariners have lost seven of nine since to fall 3 1/2 games back of the top spot.

After taking two of three from the Marlins last weekend, the Mariners were swept in three straight games by the Braves. Felix Hernandez tried to salvage a game in the set, but gave up five runs over 7 2/3 innings to take Wednesday's 5-3 loss.

Josh Bard, recalled from Triple-A prior to the game, hit an RBI single and Dustin Ackley added a two-run homer in the eighth inning. Ackley has now reached base in each of his first 12 big-league games, hitting .300, but the Mariners failed to get any closer after his second career homer.

"We just weren't able to get anything going offensively," said Seattle manager Eric Wedge.

Seattle is three games under .500 (39-42) for the first time since May 21 and will give Vargas the start tonight. The left-hander has sandwiched a pair of losses around his three-hit shutout of the Phillies, dropping a 4-3 decision to the Marlins on Saturday.

Vargas gave up four runs -- three in the first inning -- on eight hits over six innings, falling to 5-5 with a 3.88 ERA in 16 starts this season.

The 28-year-old will make his fourth career start versus the Padres and is 1-1 with a 3.63 ERA against them.

Seattle swept a three-game set from the Padres on May 20-22 and has taken four straight and 17 of the last 24 meetings between these clubs.