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Mariners, Indians look to erase woes in second half

Jul 18, 2008 - 10:13 AM Cleveland (41-53) at Seattle (37-58), 10:10 pm EDT

SEATTLE (Ticker) -- The Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians both limped to the All-Star break as the most disappoint ing teams in the American League.

With hopes of erasing such titles, they begin the second half against each other on Friday at Safeco Field.

Felix Hernandez (6-6, 2.95 ERA) will take the mound for the Mariners in his second appearance since returning from the disabled list last Friday Though dominant through the first four innings against the Kansas City Royals, he hit a wall in the fifth and allowed three two-out runs on his way to losing a 3-1 decision.

The Indians will counter with Aaron Laffey (5-5, 3.45), who had an up-and-down first half. In five May starts, he recorded a 0.79 ERA, but followed with a 5.09 mark in June.

Laffey, who is 0-2 with a 5.76 ERA in five starts on the road, made two starts against Seattle last season, posting a 3.75 ERA with no decisions.

Ichiro Suzuki, who represented the AL in the All-Star Game, is batting .304 and has been one of the lone bright spots.

Meanwhile, Cleveland continues to have problems without injured Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez. Their lone All-Star was outfielder Grady Sizemore, who is hitting .273 with 23 home runs and 54 RBI, including 22 stolen bases.