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Mariners, Padres vie for series win at Petco

Jun 24, 2012 - 1:53 PM (Sports Network) - The Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres will square off at Petco Park this afternoon in what is the rubber match of this interleague series.

The Mariners took Saturday's game, 5-1, behind a fantastic performance from Felix Hernandez.

Hernandez (5-5) has been shaky by his lofty standards this year, but he seems to have gotten things back on track after tossing his second straight seven- inning, one-earned run performance.

King Felix also struck out 10 and walked just one.

Jason Marquis (1-3) pitched better than the scoreboard would indicate. He went seven innings and allowed five runs, though only two of those were earned. Despite racking up three losses in a Padres uniform, Marquis has a 2.05 ERA in four starts since being released by the Twins last month.

The Padres actually took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Cameron Maybin scored on a Hernandez balk, but that was one of the few mistakes the Mariners pitcher would make on the evening.

The Mariners answered immediately with three runs in the top of the second, which included a two-run double from Hernandez, and never looked back.

Michael Saunders went 2-for-3 for the Mariners, hitting his eighth home run of the season and stealing two bases.

Today, Seattle will send Hector Noesi to the hill. Noesi's had a season to forget so far, as he's just 2-8 with a 5.69 ERA. He's been especially burdened by the longball, allowing 15 home runs in 80 2/3 innings.

Noesi was saddled with yet another loss on June 18 against the Diamondbacks, allowing nine hits and six runs (five earned) in six innings of work.

The right-hander is now winless in his last eight starts dating back to May 6.

Noesi faced the Padres on June 13 and pitched well in a 1-0 defeat, going seven strong innings while allowing five hits and one earned run.

For the Padres, Edinson Volquez has not been much better, sporting a 3-7 record with a 4.11 ERA. Though he has a strong batting average against (.229), Volquez has had terrible control issues, as he's issued 51 walks in 87 2/3 innings.

Volquez had a rough go of it his last time out on June 19 against the Texas Rangers, allowing five hits, four walks, and six earned runs in a June 19. It marked the eighth start this season that he's allowed four or more free passes, including his fourth straight.

The right-hander has had some success against the Mariners in his career, going 2-0 with a 3.42 ERA in four starts.