The Seattle Mariners could be without slugging first baseman Russell Branyan this evening when they continue their four-game series with the Kansas City Royals at Safeco Field.

Branyan, who is in the midst of a career year with 31 home runs, was forced to leave Friday's tilt after feeling a tweak in his back while checking his swing.

Seattle, of course, is already without superstar Ichiro Suzuki, who has missed his last five games with a calf injury, and third baseman Adrian Beltre, who is out with a bruised testicle.

The Mariners, though, did not need their big sticks on Friday, as Felix Hernandez got back to his winning ways with seven solid innings, helping Seattle grab a 6-3 win.

Hernandez (13-5) got his first win after going four starts without one, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while fanning six. Josh Wilson drove in three runs, as the Mariners improved to 4-1 on their 10-game homestand.

"Felix woke up this morning with a pretty severe headache and some sinus issues and he pitched a heck of a ballgame," said Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu. "(When) you know that he wasn't at full strength, it even makes it more special. He kept us in the ballgame the whole time."

Mike Sweeney added two hits against his former club to go with two runs scored and an RBI. David Aardsma earned his 31st save of the season.

Mitch Maier hit a two-run homer for the Royals, who have lost seven of nine. Brian Bannister (7-11) gave up all six runs -- five earned -- on seven hits and a pair of walks in 6 2/3 innings to absorb the loss.

Getting the ball for the Mariners tonight will be righty Ian Snell, who is 2-1 with a 5.40 ERA in his five starts with the Mariners since being acquired from Pittsburgh. Snell won his second straight start on Monday against Oakland, yielding a run and four hits in six innings.

In 20 combined starts this season, though, Snell is 4-9 with a 5.37 ERA.

Snell did not factor in the decision in his only other start versus the Royals back in 2006, but did allow four runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings of that one.

Kansas City will counter with right-hander Gil Meche, who is 6-9 with a 4.75 earned run average. Meche did not get a decision on Monday against Cleveland, as he surrendered four runs and eight hits in seven innings of his team's 10-6 setback.

Meche, who played for the Mariners from 1999-06 before leaving for Kansas City via free agency, is 2-1 lifetime against his former team with a 4.45 ERA in five starts.

The Royals have won four of seven meetings with the Mariners so far this season, six of which have been held in Kansas City, and are 10-4 in their last 14 overall matchups against Seattle.