• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Batista finally gets second start for Mariners

Apr 14, 2007 - 2:41 PM Texas (5-5) at Seattle (3-3) 3:55 pm EDT

SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Miguel Batista will finally get an opportunity to improve on his horrendous first start with his new team.

Batista takes the mound as the Seattle Mariners host the Texas Rangers in the second game of a three-game series.

The 36-year-old righthander signed a three-year, $24 million contract in the offseason to join a staff that includes fellow newcomer Jeff Weaver, holdover Jarrod Washburn and phenom Felix Hernandez.

Batista (0-1, 15.43 ERA) allowed eight runs and 10 hits in his first start on April 4 against Oakland. He had to wait to make his second start because of last weekend's snowed out series at Cleveland and a rainout Thursday at Fenway Park.

The Rangers will counter with Vicente Padilla. The righthander re-signed with Texas in the offseason, inking a three-year, $33.75 million deal.

Padilla (0-2, 6.94) took the loss in his first start after allowing six runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings April 3 against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He recovered to pitch seven solid innings against Boston last Sunday, but took the loss as the Rangers managed just two runs.

Texas won the first game of the series Friday night as Eric Gagne pitched a scoreless ninth inning to secure the save, his first for his new team.