Back home, the Mariners are looking to stop their slump against lowly A’s

In Seattle, they started calling it the “King’s Treatment.”

That goes to former ace “King Felix” Hernandez, who spent the most Sailors his career was hampered by poor run support

Seattle’s starters seem to be getting the same treatment this season.

THE Sailors open a three game series with the lowly Oakland Athletics Monday night at T-Mobile Park with a team batting average of .226, the second-worst mark in the majors to San Diego’s .222.

Seattle spoiled another quality start for George Kirby on Sunday in a 3-2 loss at Atlanta, ending a nine-game road trip. THE Sailors managed one hit in the first six innings against rookie Jared Shuster, who earned his first major league win

“Time to go home,” Sailors said manager Scott Servai. “Obviously (on Sunday) we weren’t attacking enough again.

“It’s hard to overcome if you’re not putting the ball in play. Whether it’s more changeups than we expected or more life on the fastball, at some point you’ve got to cut the momentum and put the ball in play.”

THE SailorsThere were only runs on Sunday by Jarred Kelenic and rookie Jose Caballero.

Seattle fell to 5-16 when scoring three runs or less and is 4-12 in one-run games. It was the 10th time this season the Sailors held to two runs or less and 21st time striking out 10+ times

Highlighting Seattle’s struggles is American League Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez, who has a slash line of .204/.280/.656.

Together with the Sailors He has a .681 on-base plus slugging percentage, which is tied for 26th among 30 MLB teams with Oakland, which is 34-128 this season.

The Aks lost 2-0 Sunday in Houston as Framber Valdez threw a four-hitter.

It is the third time in the last 10 games that Oakland has been shutout and the seventh time this season.

Ak have lost four in a row, seven of eight, and 12 of their last 14 games.

“I think we can build on this streak,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said Sunday. “I know the wins weren’t there. In terms of getting better and keeping us in the game, that’s what they did this weekend, and if we can continue to do that, it will lead to more success.”

Seattle swept a three-game series in Oakland on May 2-4.

The Aks could get a boost with the return of outfielder/first baseman Seth Brown, who was sidelined with a Grade 2 left oblique strain on April 8.

Brown, who led the At’s in home runs (25) and RBIs (73) last season, went 5-13 in four rehab games — three with Class A Stockton and one with Triple-A Las Vegas .

Kotsay said Brown is expected to meet with the big league club on Monday to determine if he is ready to be activated.

Oakland lefty Kyle Muller (1-3, 7.71 ERA) will start the series opener against M’s right-hander Luis Castillo (2-2, 3.31). Muller is facing Seattle for the first time; Castillo is 1-2 with a 5.17 ERA in three career starts against the Ak.

— Field Level Media