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Rays continue road trip versus Mariners

Sep 6, 2013 - 2:51 PM (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Rays will begin the final leg of their 10- game western road trip Friday with the first of three games against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.

The Rays just split a four-game series with the LA Angels of Anaheim and suffered a 6-2 loss on Thursday at the Big A. David Price was roughed up in the start and gave up six runs and 11 hits in seven innings.

"He (Price) made some bad pitches at the wrong times," said Rays manager Joe Maddon. "We're trying way too hard to make it happen. Sometimes you have to relax and go play the game."

James Loney drove in both of Tampa Bay's runs in defeat.

Tampa Bay lost for the ninth time in 12 tries and is 2 1/2 games ahead of the New York Yankees for the final wild card berth in the American League.

Alex Cobb gets the call for the Rays Friday night and owns an 8-3 mark and 2.82 ERA in 17 starts this season. Cobb pitched well in defeat on Saturday in a 2-1 loss at Oakland, charged with just two runs in eight innings.

Cobb is 2-2 with a 3.10 ERA in four career starts against Seattle.

Seattle has lost four of five games and dropped a 7-6 decision in 13 innings Thursday at Kansas City. Mike Moustakas' solo homer in the bottom of the 13th inning lifted the Royals to victory.

Justin Smoak and Raul Ibanez homered for the Mariners.

Joe Saunders got the start for Seattle and gave up three runs on 11 hits over 4 2/3 innings. Chance Ruffin took the loss after giving up the homer to Moustakas.

"I love those situations," said Ruffin, who had not pitched in the majors since 2011. "I just made a mistake."

The Mariners are scheduled to host Houston for three games on this homestand.

Hisashi Iwakuma gets the call Friday for the M's and is 12-6 with a 2.92 ERA in 29 starts this season. Iwakuma did not record a decision in his only start against Tampa Bay, allowing just two runs through six innings.

Iwakuma is 5-2 in his past seven decisions.

Tampa Bay recently took two of three matchups with Seattle from Aug. 13-15 at Tropicana Field.