Starting pitching continues to be Mariners' strength

OAKLAND --The Mariners hope a revitalized lineup will benefit the team's offense -- the fifth-worst in the Major Leagues -- so that it can take advantage of its stellar pitching as of late.

Seattle's starting pitchers have recorded seven straight quality starts since June 7, allowing one run or less in six of those starts. Mariners starters have lowered their combined ERA from 4.23 to 3.93 in the process, going 4-1 with a 1.07 ERA during that span.

Joe Saunders' win -- his first on the road this season -- against the A's on Friday in which he allowed just one earned run in seven innings was the Mariners' fifth consecutive start of at least seven innings, their longest stretch of such starts since 2011.

Seattle ace Felix Hernandez looked to continue that trend Saturday, with Hisashi Iwakuma taking the bump Sunday against Bartolo Colon.

"[Hernandez] is a special pitcher, and I feel like with him and Iwakuma, we have two of the better starting pitchers in the league, maybe baseball," Wedge said. "That's why it's so imperative for us to get the offense going."