The Mariners (20-24) take on the San Diego Padres (19-26) in game two of a three game series Saturday night at Petco Park. Seattle has won four of their last five games, and now are only 2.5 games out of first place in the AL West.
Michael Pineda (5-2 2.45 ERA) takes the mound for the Mariners. Pineda was brilliant in his last outing. He shut out the Minnesota Twins and only surrendered three hits over seven innings of work on Monday. The Padres lineup will have their hands full with the young fireballer, after struggling to produce offensively against Mariners starter Erik Bedard on Friday night.
Pineda will get his first major league at-bat due to National League rules. When Manager Eric Wedge was asked if he was looking forward to Pineda hitting he laughed and told reporters,
"I'm looking forward to seeing him pitch," Wedge said.
Getting the start for the Padres is Clayton Richard (2-4 4.79 ERA). Though Richard recorded the win in his last start, he has not pitched past the sixth inning in his last four starts. However, the left hander has been successful at his home park with a 1.71 ERA in four starts this season at Petco Park.
First pitch at Petco Park is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. PT with coverage on ROOT Sports and 710 ESPN.
For more news and information regarding the Mariners and tonight's game head on over to SB Nation's Mariners blog, Lookout Landing.