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Mariners go for eight straight wins; host Tribe

Jul 23, 2013 - 2:53 PM (Sports Network) - As important as Seattle's offense has been during its season-high seven-game winning streak, the Mariners' pitchers have been doing their part as well.

Erasmo Ramirez aims to keep that trend going on Tuesday night when the Mariners battle the Cleveland Indians in the middle contest of a three-game series.

Seattle has plated 46 runs over its winning streak, but needed a solid performance from its pitching staff on Monday to secure a 2-1 victory. Aaron Harang got things started with seven innings of one-run ball, Charlie Furbush did not allow a hit in the eighth inning and Tom Wilhelmsen escaped putting two runners on to lock down his 22nd save of the season.

Harang allowed just four hits, including a first-inning homer to Nick Swisher, but settled down to extend a hot stretch by Seattle's rotation. Mariners starters have picked up the victory in each game of this current win streak.

Kendrys Morales and Mike Zunino provided just enough offense with solo homers as the Mariners shook off a scary incident before the game when manager Eric Wedge suffered a dizzy spell during batting practice. He was taken to a local hospital as a precaution.

Acting manager Robby Thompson said that Wedge had a series of tests done and he was to stay overnight.

"He should be fine. I'm sure the 'W' is going to help him out a bit ... Great job by everybody, including Harang, Furbush and finishing up with Tom Wilhelmsen," said Thompson.

The Indians, meanwhile, have lost three of four after going into the All-Star break on a four-game win streak, but have not allowed more than three runs in any of the four contests following the hiatus.

Cleveland got a solid outing from Ubaldo Jimenez, who allowed two runs, five hits and four walks over 5 2/3 innings, but the offense failed to pick up its starter.

"We're not rolling, but are pitching thankfully is keeping us in games," said Indians manager Terry Francona. "Our pitching keeps pitching like this, we're going to be just fine."

Zack McAllister is fine to return from a sprained right middle finger that prevented him from throwing all of his pitches effectively. He is slated to come of the disabled list and start this game for Cleveland.

McAllister has not pitched since June 2, when he allowed four earned runs over 4 1/3 innings in what was his second straight loss. He was placed on the disabled list shortly after the outing, but completed a bullpen session on Saturday without issue.

The 25-year-old righty is 4-5 with a 3.43 earned run average in 11 starts this year and did not get a decision versus Seattle on May 18 despite 7 1/3 innings of two-run ball. McAllister is 0-1 in four career starts against the Mariners with a 5.64 ERA.

Getting the call for the Mariners will be 23-year-old Erasmo Ramirez, who was roughed up in his season debut before the break.

Ramirez missed the start of the season due to an elbow injury and put in some work in the minor leagues before getting recalled on July 11 to start against Boston. It did not go well for the righty, who yielded seven runs on six hits and four walks over 4 2/3 innings. About the only positive was he did not get a decision in his club's 8-7 loss.

"Every ground ball just got to the right spots. The hitters got the luck today," Ramirez said. "What I can do is just continue throwing the ball trying to make quality pitches, but I didn't so they made me pay for that."

Ramirez appeared in 16 games a season ago, making eight starts, and went 1-3 with a 3.36 ERA. That included a relief outing versus the Indians in which he allowed a run on one hit and two walks while recording two outs.

The Indians swept the Mariners in a four-game set at Cleveland from May 17-20. They lost four of six in Seattle a season ago.