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Indians, Mariners wrap up set at Progressive Field

Aug 24, 2011 - 3:07 PM (Sports Network) - The Cleveland Indians try to avoid a series loss this afternoon when they wrap up a four-game set with the lowly Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field.

After losing Monday's opener, the Tribe split a day/night doubleheader with the Mariners on Tuesday, taking the first game, 7-5, on Shin-Soo Choo's game- winning home run in the ninth, before dropping a 12-7 decision in the nightcap.

Choo hit a solo homer in the second game and drove in two while Jack Hannahan went 4-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored for the Indians, who have lost five of their last six and are six games back of the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central.

Another loss today, though, would drop the Indians below .500 for the first time since they were 1-2 three games into the season.

"I'm just trying to win ballgames," Cleveland manager Manny Acta said. "Wake me up when we're completely out of it mathematically."

Franklin Gutierrez had five hits and three RBI over the twinbill, while rookie Dustin Ackley went 2-for-6 with three RBI and two runs scored in the second game for the Mariners, who won for only the second time in their last eight games.

Hoping to keep that momentum going tonight the Mariners will turn to reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez, who gave up just one hit through seven innings against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday before surrendering two crucial runs in the eighth which proved to be the difference.

Hernandez finished the game allowing three runs and seven hits in eight innings, but fell to 11-11 on the year to go along with a 3.38 ERA.

"It was going to be something special," Hernandez said. "It's part of baseball. It's weird, huh?"

Hernandez has faced the Indians nine times and is 4-3 with a 2.78 ERA.

Cleveland, meanwhile, will counter with righty Josh Tomlin, who is 12-6 with a 4.03 ERA. Tomlin was tagged with the loss on Friday in Detroit, as he gave up four runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Tomlin, the only pitcher in Major League Baseball since 1919 to last at least five innings in each of his first 37 career appearances, defeated the Mariners the last time he faced them and is a perfect 2-0 in two starts against them with a 4.26 ERA.

Cleveland is 5-2 against the Mariners this season.