(My Sportsbook) - The Seattle Mariners will try to continue their outstanding play against the Oakland Athletics when the two American League West rivals square off this evening in the second meeting of a three-game series from Safeco Field.

The Mariners have captured seven consecutive victories over Oakland dating back to last season. Seattle closed out last year with a three-game sweep over Oakland and produced three consecutive wins over the A's from April 10-12.

Surprisingly, the Mariners have a comfortable lead in the American League West and will look to further the distance between themselves and the rest of the division when Jarrod Washburn takes the hill tonight.

Washburn saw his personal three-game winning streak come to an end in his last start, as the southpaw was pummeled by the Angels this past Sunday. In the loss to Los Angeles, Washburn was abused for six runs on eight hits and three walks in just 5 1/3 innings of work.

Despite the setback, Washburn is still 3-1 with a respectable 3.42 ERA on the year.

The 34-year-old is no stranger to the Athletics, as this will be his 34th start against them. Unfortunately, Washburn has struggled against Oakland throughout his career, having posted an 8-15 mark and a 4.10 ERA.

While Seattle will have an experienced veteran on the hill, the A's will counter with one of their blue-chip hurlers, as Trevor Cahill will toe the rubber this evening for Oakland. Cahill, who is just 21 years old, will be making his fifth career start but will be looking for his first-ever victory.

Cahill's most recent outing did not last long, as the right-hander was hammered by Tampa on April 24. The Rays abused the young hurler for seven runs on eight hits in just 2 2/3 innings of work, and the poor showing dropped Cahill to 0-2 on the year and boosted his ERA to 5.40.

Cahill has already faced the Mariners this season, and it was the rookie's best showing to date, as he allowed just one run in seven innings on April 12. Despite the tremendous showing, the youngster suffered the loss in a 1-0 setback.

In last night's series opener, Jose Lopez's RBI single in the ninth was the difference-maker as the Mariners beat the Athletics, 8-7.

Lopez finished 2-for-5 and drove in three runs for Seattle, which is still just 2-3 in its last five games. Russell Branyan added a two-run homer and finished with three RBI, while Franklin Gutierrez drove in a pair of runners. Every Mariner had a hit in the triumph.

Mariners starter Carlos Silva lasted 3 2/3 innings and was touched for six runs on as many hits. Shawn Kelley (1-1) got the win after pitching with a perfect final 1 2/3 innings.

Matt Holliday went 2-for-5 with a homer and drove in a pair of runs for Oakland, which has dropped two of three. Bobby Crosby knocked in three runs and Kurt Suzuki a had pair of RBI in the setback.

A's starter Dana Eveland lasted 4 2/3 innings and yielded seven runs on 10 hits. Russ Springer (0-1) took the loss after being charged with the winning run allowed in the ninth.

Oakland won 10 of its 19 matchups with the Mariners last season, but Seattle is 27-15 in the series since the start of the 2007 campaign.