Mariners win third game from Rangers
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

SEATTLE (AP) - The bullpen committee forced upon the Mariners by J.J. Putz's injury is apparently going to include anyone - including a starting pitcher.

Carlos Silva allowed three hits and one run in his Seattle debut, Jose Lopez hit a threerun homer and No. 5 starter Miguel Batista got his first save in three years to close out the Mariners' 4-1 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night.

Now that their series with Seattle is over (and the Rangers are 1-2 on the season, all against Seattle), Texas takes tonight off, then goes to Los Angeles to face the Angels on Friday, a 9:05 Central start.

Against Seattle on Wednesday, Sean Green walked Tuesday's hero, Josh Hamilton, on four pitches to begin the ninth inning. Batista then made his surprising entrance, hours after All-Star closer Putz went on the 15-day disabled list with a ribcage injury.

Batista, Seattle's leader with 16 wins last season before he got shoved to the back of the rotation by the arrival of Silva and Erik Bedard, quickly got Hank Blalock and Milton Bradley to fly out. Then Frank Catalanotto grounded out for Batista's first save since Sept. 27, 2005, at Boston.

The Mariners were laughed at for signing Silva to $48 million, four-year contract to be their No. 3 starter. He looked worth that steep price in his Seattle debut.