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Mariners-Angels Preview

May 29, 2009 - 1:10 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Seattle (22-26) at Los Angeles (24-22), 10:05 p.m. EDT

Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu believes his team is improving in its approach at the plate. The Mariners have rarely had much reason for optimism in recent years against John Lackey.

Beginning to settle down after making his season debut two weeks ago, Lackey looks to win his seventh straight start against the Mariners as he leads the Los Angeles Angels in the opener of a three-game set Friday night.

Seattle (22-26) was held to three runs or fewer in six of seven games before posting a 6-1 win over Oakland on Wednesday to avoid a three-game sweep.

Wakamatsu was pleased with the little things the Mariners did at the plate. With the team among the bottom third in the majors with just 40 homers, Seattle needs to play small ball to be successful.

"It's a step in the right direction," Wakamatsu said. "I saw a lot of mechanical changes, tougher at-bats, working pitchers' counts up."

The Mariners had some success against Lackey (1-0, 6.00 ERA) on May 18, but the right-hander earned his sixth straight win against them as Los Angeles (24-22) won 10-6. He gave up five runs - four earned - and seven hits in five innings.

Though he struggled in that outing, Lackey has a 1.91 ERA during his run against the Mariners. He's 11-8 with a 4.02 ERA in 23 career starts against them.

Lackey's most recent appearance against Seattle was his second of three starts this year after missing the first six weeks due to a forearm strain.

On Saturday, Lackey allowed three runs and seven hits while striking out five in seven innings during the Angels' 5-4 loss in 10 to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He hit three batters and issued his first walk of the season.

"I want to be down and in with those breaking balls, but not quite that far down and in," Lackey said. "But I definitely ... feel like I'm really close to being back where I need to be."

The Angels took advantage of an excellent start from Jered Weaver on Wednesday, beating the Chicago White Sox 3-1 to salvage the finale of a three-game series.

Bobby Abreu had two hits and two RBIs for Los Angeles. He's batting .309 with 19 RBIs but just one homer after hitting 20 for the New York Yankees last year.

Abreu is the only current Angel to have faced Seattle's Jason Vargas (1-0, 1.29), drawing a walk and singling in his only at-bat against him.

Vargas will make his fourth straight start after beginning the year in the bullpen. The left-hander has given up two runs or fewer in each of his three starts, but has gotten a total of three to work with during that span.

He's coming off his most impressive outing, allowing one run and two hits while striking out seven in seven innings of a 2-1, 12-inning win over San Francisco last Friday.

This will be Vargas' first appearance against the Angels.

While the Mariners have struggled at times, Ichiro Suzuki has remained consistent. The 2001 AL MVP has a 21-game hitting streak, batting .391 (36 for 92) during that span.

Suzuki has hit safely in 10 straight games versus the Angels, going 16 for 47 (.340).

Seattle and Los Angeles have split 10 games this year.