Valencia went 3-for-4 in Monday's 3-1 loss to the Royals.
The veteran infielder was responsible for 75 percent of the Mariners' hit output on a night in which the Royals' Ian Kennedy and three relievers stymied their offense. Valencia has four multi-hit efforts in his last eight games, although all but one of the 11 hits he's amassed in those contests have been singles. After a dreadful start at the plate this season, Valencia is now slashing .277/.337/.421 and ranks fourth on the team with 40 RBI. Long known for being particularly effective against left-handed pitching, he's actually been slightly better against righties this season, slashing .278/.328/.429 in 229 plate appearances versus that handedness.