SEATTLE -- While the return of Felix Hernandez has been aligned with the Seattle Mariners battle back into playoff contention, it was the consistency of fellow starter Hisashi Iwakuma that had a more direct effect on Seattles August boon.That the Mariners have fallen back in the wild-card race at a time when Iwakuma is struggling is more than simple coincidence.Iwakuma (14-10) heads into his scheduled Sunday appearance on a three-start losing streak. Hes 0-3 with a 5.63 ERA over his past three starts, dating back to Aug. 18. Over that period of just over two weeks, the Mariners (69-66) have gone 5-11. The starting rotation, once a strength of the team, has become a liability. Saturday starter Taijuan Walker was the latest to struggle, allowing six runs without making it out of the first inning in a 10-3 loss to the Angels.I did not expect that tonight, manager Scott Servais said.Its become more the norm than an outlier for the Seattle starter to struggle recently. Not even Iwakuma and Hernandez have been able to avoid getting hit hard as the Mariners sink in the wild-card standings.It hasnt been a good series for the starting pitchers on either side. The Angels Tyler Skaggs turned in the best performance of any starter Saturday, but he served up a two-run homer in the first inning. The two teams have combined to score 13 runs in the first inning over the first two games of the series.You cant take any inning for granted, Angels star Albert Pujols said after hitting two home runs Saturday night and moving ahead of Frank Robinson into ninth place on the all-time list.Angels starter Matt Shoemaker may bring better results if he keeps on the pace hes put up in recent starts. Shoemaker (9-13) has added some semblance of stabilization to a starting rotation thats been in shambles for most of the season. He has won each of his past three starts as the struggling Angels (60-75) have begun showing some signs of life. Theyve won six of seven.One of Shoemakers recent wins came over a Seattle team that beat him twice earlier in the season. Hell face the Mariners for the third time this year when the Angels finish their series in Seattle on Sunday afternoon.Shoemaker has been one of the few bright spots for a Los Angeles rotation thats already used 13 different starters. The Angels have tried to resurrect the career of former Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum and have rolled the dice on struggling veterans like Ricky Nolasco, Jhoulys Chacin and Brett Oberholtzer -- with mixed results.The game will mark the first of back-to-back afternoon games for the Mariners during the holiday weekend. Seattle hosts a three-game series with the AL West-leading Rangers beginning Monday afternoon. Texas has really had the Mariners number this season, winning the past five meetings while going 11-4 in the head-to-head matchup. NBA Jerseys China . 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Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup. Sydney named Kurt Tippett and Gary Rohan in their preliminary side on Thursday night but the pair are no certainties to line up for the Swans against Geelong at the MCG.Coach John Longmire didnt bother with any subterfuge over co-captain Jarrad McVeighs fitness - hes out with a calf strain - but the other pair still carry lingering doubts.Tippett suffered a fractured jaw just two weeks ago and Rohans season looked over on Saturday night when he crumpled to the SCG turf against Adelaide with a knee injury.He cut a disconsolate figure as he was carted from the field and was on crutches after the game.Zak Jones was brought in to replace McVeigh, while Toby Nankervis made way for Tippett.But 2012 premiership player Nick Smith admitted Sydneys line-up could change again when final team sheets are submitted 90 minutes before the opening bounce on Friday night.Well give them every opportunity to play, Smith said just hours before teams were announced on Thursday night.I think (Rohans) reaction was probably exacerbated by what happened last time (when he suffered a serious injury).First and foremost its good that hes OK and second of all that hes a chance to play this week.Harry Cunningham, James Rose and Nankervis also travelled with the team should further changes be needed.Newly ccrowned AFL Rising Star Callum Mills injured his hamstring in the upset qualifying loss to Greater Western Sydney and was ruled out on Wednesday.ddddddddddddMcVeighs loss is a blow to the Swans, but Smith put a brave face on the veterans absence.Ins and outs this week ... it doesnt matter who plays for them and who plays for us, he said.In the end it comes down to our application on Friday night.The Cats brought Lachie Henderson back from a knee injury, as expected - Tom Ruggles made way - while Daniel Menzel was a surprise omission with a groin strain, with Jed Bews named as his replacement.Smith admitted he had studied Menzels game closely during the week in preparation for a defensive role on the dangerous forward.The Swans go into the clash having inflicted Geelongs only loss at Simonds Stadium this season - by 38 points - in round 16.Its a long time ago now and both sides have made a lot of changes, Smith said.We really respect Geelong as a footy club and theyll play some good footy on Friday night. There will be swings of momentum and we know we have to be up for the challenge.We know what works and weve got to bring that (against the Cats). ' ' '