SoCal MLB Preview

LA Angels (6-5) at Seattle (5-6), 6:10 pm

SEATTLE (Ticker) - The Seattle Mariners try to take an early two-game advantage in the American League West when they host the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Saturday.

The Mariners, who won just six of 19 games against their American League West rivals last season, took the first of 19 games in 2008 on Friday. Raul Ibanez homered twice and Felix Hernandez gutted his way through 6 2/3 innings to lead the way. Kenji Johjima snapped out of an 0-for-23 slump with an RBI double in the eighth.

After suffering through a 2-5 road trip, Seattle will play the next four at Safeco Field. Jon Garland (1-1, 5.54 ERA) will start for the Angels Saturday looking to bounce back from a tough outing last weekend. After dominating in his first start with Anaheim, the veteran righthander yielded seven runs and eight hits in five innings to take a loss against Texas in his second start Sunday. The 28-year-old has had success against the Mariners in the past, owning a 6-2 record and a 3.15 ERA in 12 career appearances - 11 starts.

Seattle will counter with sinkerballer Carlos Silva (1-0, 3.21), who will also be making his third start for his new team. The hefty righthander spent the past four seasons battling with Garland in the AL Central when the two were members of the Twins and White Sox, respectively. Like Garland, Silva was dominant in his first outing for the Mariners, allowing three hits in seven innings to earn a win, but regressed in his second effort. Silva allowed four runs in seven frames against Baltimore last Monday but did not factor in the decision.