• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Blue Jays look to clinch series vs. lowly Mariners

Jun 11, 2008 - 12:08 PM Seattle (23-42) at Toronto (34-33) 12:37 p.m. EDT

TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Toronto Blue Jays will be looking to stay above .500 and clinch a three-game series when they host the lowly Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.

The Blue Jays, who began the month with just two wins in the first eight games and dropped Monday's series opener, recovered on Tuesday behind a superb performance from righthander Dustin McGowan and a home run from Mariners castoff Brad Wilkerson.

McGowan struck out seven while recording his first complete game of the season and Wilkerson, who was cut by Seattle on April 30 and signed by Toronto on May 9, snapped a 1-1 tie with a solo blast in the fifth.

The victory lifted the Blue Jays back above .500.

Shaun Marcum (5-3, 2.52 ERA) will try to clinch the series for Toronto in the rubber game Wednesday. The righthander is tied for the lead in the American League in ERA and has allowed two runs or less in eight of his last nine starts.

The 26-year-old has not factored in the decision in either of his last two starts despite allowing three runs in 14 combined innings.

Seattle will counter with righthander Felix Hernandez (4-5, 3.07). The 22-year-old has not allowed a run in his last 13 innings, earning wins against Detroit and at Boston.

The Mariners have lost seven of their last nine and own the worst record in the majors.