Cleveland Indians (22-25) at Seattle Mariners (23-24), 10:10 p.m. (ET)
(SportsNetwork.com) - The Cleveland Indians are on a hot streak and will shoot for another win over the Seattle Mariners Friday at Safeco Field.
The Indians took the opener of this four-game set with a 5-3 victory Thursday thanks to another strong effort by starter Corey Kluber. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner struck out 13 batters and allowed three runs in seven innings.
"He works hard. He doesn't run out of gas," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said of Kluber.
Brandon Moss hit a solo homer among his two hits and two runs scored, while Jose Ramirez posted two hits and a pair of runs for Cleveland, which has won eight of its last 10 games.
Trevor Bauer draws the start for the Tribe Friday and is 4-1 with a 3.02 earned run average in nine starts. Bauer has won back-to-back starts and gave up only one run over 7 2/3 innings of a 5-2 win against Cincinnati Sunday.
Bauer has allowed one run in each of his last three starts and has lost both of his starts against the Mariners, allowing eight runs and 17 hits across 10 2/3 innings in this series.
The Mariners had won three straight and five of six games until the Indians arrived in the Emerald City.
James Paxton absorbed the loss and gave up four runs -- three earned -- and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. He left the game with a left middle finger injury.
"We didn't want to take any chances, we'll evaluate him tomorrow," Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said.
Dustin Ackley and Mike Zunino both homered in defeat.
Taijuan Walker has struggled to a 1-5 mark and a 7.33 earned run average in nine starts and the Mariners have dropped his last three outings. Walker was touched for four runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings of an 8-2 loss at Toronto on Sunday and has permitted four runs or more five times this season.
Walker is 0-3 in his previous five appearances and has never faced the Indians. He is 0-1 with a 3.31 ERA in three starts at home.
The Mariners went 4-2 against the Indians last season and the two clubs will meet again for three games in Cleveland from June 9-11.