The Texas Rangers open a three-game series at Seattle with left-hander Travis Blackley facing Mariners southpaw Joe Saunders at 9:10 p.m. Monday night at Safeco Field.
Blackley (1-1, 4.85 ERA): Blackley makes his second start for Texas since being acquired from Houston on Aug. 14. ... On a strict pitch count against the Astros on Tuesday, Blackley lasted four innings and allowed two runs. ... He allowed three hits and had a walk while throwing 66 pitches. ... Blackley gave up a two-run homer by Houston third baseman Matt Dominguez. ... Blackley has allowed 11 home runs in 39 innings pitched. ... He's given up a long ball in seven of his past eight starts. ... He was 1-1 with a 4.89 ERA pitching in relief for the Astros. ... He has a 0.54 road ERA in 19 games. ... Blackley made his major league debut for Seattle with six starts in 2004. ... He is 1-1 with a 7.08 ERA in five games (four starts) at Safeco Field.
Saunders (10-12, 4.91 ERA): In his most recent start on Tuesday, Saunders took his first no-decision in 15 games against Oakland, allowing four runs in six innings. ... He allowed 10 hits and gave up two home runs. ... Saunders allowed all four runs in the first inning as the Mariners rallied late for a 7-4 victory. ... Saunders was 7-7 with a 4.29 ERA in his previous starts before Tuesday. ... He is one of three Seattle starters with 10 wins, two behind Hisashi Iwakuma and Felix Hernandez. ... Saunders is 5-5 with a 3.94 ERA in 11 starts at Safeco Field this season. ... The Mariners signed Saunders as a free agent before the season because of how good he has been throughout his career at Safeco, where is 11-5 with a 3.10 ERA. ... Saunders is 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA in four starts against the Rangers this season. ... He is 4-9 with a 6.17 ERA against Texas for his career.
Hitters: Jeff Baker (7-for-16, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs) and Ian Kinsler (11-for-33, 4 HRs, 8 RBIs) have had success against Saunders. Kendrys Morales is 2-for-5 with a home run against Blackley. The current Mariners are batting .163 with a .178 on-base percentage against the Rangers' new lefty.
