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Streaking Blue Jays aim for sweep of lowly Mariners

Jul 27, 2008 - 2:33 PM Seattle (38-65) at Toronto (53-51) 1:07 p.m. EDT

TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Toronto Blue Jays refuse to bow out quietly this season and will be in search of their sixth straight win Sunday when they host the Seattle Mariners.

It was presumed that the Blue Jays would be sellers at Thursday's trading deadline when they sat at 41-46 after a loss on July 4. But 12 wins in their last 17 games have the Blue Jays above .500 again and within shouting distance of the wild card contenders in the American League.

The Mariners, on the other hand, are decidedly on the selling end, owning the worst record in baseball. Saturday's 8-3 loss sent Seattle's skid to seven consecutive games.

Toronto's Alex Rios was the star on Saturday, clubbing a pair of homers and adding a sacrifice fly. He has multiple hits in five of the last eight games.

Rios and the Blue Jays will take on lefthander Jarrod Washburn (4-9, 4.75 ERA) in the series finale. The veteran southpaw has been the subject of numerous trade rumors over the past week, most of which have him becoming a member of the New York Yankees.

Washburn has been strong over the past two months, going 2-2 with a 2.65 ERA in his past eight starts.

The Blue Jays will counter with Shaun Marcum (5-4, 3.05), who will be making his second start since returning from a stint on the disabled list due to elbow soreness. The righthander did not fare well in his return, allowing seven runs - six earned - in 4 2/3 innings in a no decision.