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WSH@BAL: Hammel strikes out 10 over eight innings

Prior to his last start, Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel had not given up more than four earned runs and lasted fewer than five innings in an outing this season.

But against the Angels on Wednesday, Hammel allowed eight earned runs in just 3 1/3 innings. The righty walked three and gave up a long ball to Torii Hunter in Baltimore's 13-1 loss. For Hammel (8-3), it was his first loss since May 30.

"There haven't been many people pitching better than Hamm, and he gets a mulligan," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said on Wednesday. "He had pretty crisp stuff. Just one of those nights where nothing seemed to go his way."

In three career games against the Mariners, including two starts, Hammel is 1-0 with a 2.92 ERA and 13 strikeouts over 12 1/3 innings. His competition on Monday in Seattle will be Hisashi Iwakuma, who is making his first Major League start in the place of an injured Kevin Millwood. Hammel is one of five nominees for the Final Vote, which fans can participate in until Thursday at 4 p.m. ET. In addition to outfielder Adam Jones, catcher Matt Wieters earned a spot on the American League bench in Kansas City. Closer Jim Johnson will make the trip, as well.

Iwakuma, who was a starter in Japan before signing in Seattle this season, has thrown 30 1/3 innings over 14 games this season. In that time, he has a 4.75 ERA and 23 strikeouts and 15 walks. Iwakuma (1-1) is also 2-for-2 in save opportunities.

"We didn't want to put [Millwood] on the DL, because we didn't want him going that long without pitching," Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. "He's been throwing pretty good and we didn't want him to lose that feel -- [especially] with the All-Star break coming, too."

Orioles: Thome strikes out twice in hitless Baltimore debut
• In his first game with Baltimore, Jim Thome went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Thome was the designated hitter on Sunday, batting fifth in the lineup behind Jones.

Mariners: Ichiro misses All-Star nod again
• While Iwakuma is playing in his first Major League season, this year marks the 12th that fellow countryman Ichiro Suzuki has suited up in Seattle. For the second year in a row, Ichiro is not an All-Star and his average is below .300. In the Mariners' recent four-game series against Boston, the veteran right fielder went 3-for-17 with a run and an RBI.

• Pitcher Felix Hernandez was the only Mariner selected for this year's All-Star Game. The right-hander is scheduled to pitch against the Orioles on Tuesday.

Worth noting
• The Orioles enter this series after dropping three of four to Cleveland. They've lost five of their last six games. The Mariners, on the other hand, come into Monday after having split a four-game set against Boston.

• Baltimore and Seattle have not played each other this year. In 2011, the Orioles won the season series, 4-2. Both of the Mariners' wins came at Safeco Field.

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