Paxton goes for eight straight as M's host Angels (Aug 10, 2017)
SEATTLE -- Will eight indeed be great for James Paxton?
The Seattle left-hander will go after his eighth victory in as many starts Thursday night when the Mariners play host to the Los Angeles Angels in the opener of a four-game series at Safeco Field.
Paxton (12-3, 2.70 ERA) was named the American League's Pitcher of the Month for July, when he went 6-0. He was the first pitcher in franchise history to win six games in a month.
"He's absolutely carried us," Mariners manager Scott Servais said after Paxton tied a team mark with his seventh straight win, 5-2, last Friday in Kansas City. "There's no doubt. He's embracing being the guy that we look to. Good for him, he's worked his tail off. If you look at where he was a year ago to where he's come, it's awesome."
In nine career starts against the Angels, Paxton is 4-2 with a 2.04 ERA. He got a no-decision in only appearance against Los Angeles this season, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 6-4 home defeat on May 2. Paxton walked five and struck out six in that game.
The Angels are scheduled to send left-hander Tyler Skaggs (1-2, 4.32 ERA) to the mound. Skaggs is 1-2 with a 5.72 ERA in five career starts against Seattle.
In his first start Saturday since coming off the disabled list, Skaggs allowed three runs on six hits in four innings of a 5-0 loss to Oakland. Skaggs had been out since late April with a strained oblique.
"(That performance) was not exactly what we needed," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said after the Saturday game. "But before he lost the feel for his curveball, he made some really good pitches with good velocity the whole night. There are a lot of positives we can take away from this.
"He'll be better next time. At least he got out there."
Seattle concluded a 6-3 trip with a 6-3 victory Wednesday afternoon in Oakland, as Nelson Cruz hit two home runs and had three RBIs and Kyle Seager added a three-run shot.
The Mariners (59-56) moved a season-high three games over .500 and into sole possession of the American League's second wild-card position thanks to losses Wednesday night by the Tampa Bay Rays and the Kansas City Royals.
"They've brought it every day," Servais said of his players. "We've talked about bringing it when we started on this trip, knowing that have so many (road) games ahead of us in August, embrace it, go after it. Our team has really come together nice."
The seven-game homestand the Mariners open Thursday is their only stay at Safeco Field this month. This weekend will be filled with activities for the retirement of batting coach Edgar Martinez's jersey No. 11.
"It's a great honor to have Edgar's number retired, and our fans will be very fired up," Servais said. "But we've given them more than just the retirement to be fired up about. We're in a good spot. We've battled our tails off all year to get this opportunity. The last 45 to 50 games are going to be pretty exciting for Mariners fans. I'm looking forward to it."
The Angels (57-58) capped a 6-3 homestand with a 5-1 victory Wednesday against Baltimore, moving past the Orioles in the playoff chase. The Angels are two games behind the Mariners.
