The Seattle Mariners were cruising along and battling the Houston Astros for first place in the American League West before heading east for a 10-game road trip. The Mariners did not have much luck against Boston and New York but will try to bounce back when they visit the Baltimore Orioles for the opener of a four-game series on Monday.

Seattle was swept in three games by the Yankees and dropped two of three at Boston, including a 5-0 setback in the rubber match on Sunday. The Mariners were 21 games over .500 after a home win over Boston on June 16 but since dropped six of seven to fall 4 1/2 games behind the surging Astros in the AL West. The Orioles should pose less of a challenge as the last-place team in the AL East but just got done taking two of three at the Atlanta Braves and broke out of a team-wide offensive funk by totaling 20 runs in the three-game set. Seattle will try to keep Baltimore in check with staff ace Felix Hernandez while the Orioles counter with righty Andrew Cashner on Monday.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (6-6, 5.14 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Andrew Cashner (2-8, 4.72)

Hernandez is trying to rediscover his All-Star form and allowed one earned run in each of his last two outings while striking out 12 in as many innings against powerhouses Boston and New York. The former Cy Young Award winner surrendered just two home runs in his last seven starts after yielding 10 in his first nine turns. Hernandez is seeing Baltimore for the first time since July 25, 2014, when he struck out 10 in seven strong innings.

Cashner scattered three hits over four scoreless innings at Washington on Wednesday but did not go back to the mound after a lengthy rain delay and was held out of the decision. The TCU product was making his first start since June 8 after dealing with a back injury. Cashner made five starts against Seattle as a member of the Texas Rangers last season and went 2-2 with a 4.23 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners SS Jean Segura (forearm infection) sat out the last four games and is day-to-day.

2. Orioles OF Mark Trumbo hit safely in each of his last eight games and homered five times in that span.

3. Seattle DH Nelson Cruz is 10-for-16 with two homers, seven RBIs and six runs scored in the last four games.

PREDICTION: Mariners 9, Orioles 6