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Blue Jays send Drabek to the hill vs. Mariners

Apr 13, 2011 - 2:56 PM (Sports Network) - Kyle Drabek tries to continue his impressive start to the season this afternoon when the Toronto Blue Jays try to salvage the finale of their three-game series with the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.

After giving up one run and one hit over seven innings in his season debut, Drabek allowed two runs and six hits in six innings to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Friday. However, he did not factor in the decision of his team's 3-2 win that night.

"You could say that they missed some opportunities, but you could also say that Kyle made some really good pitches to keep a really big inning from happening," said Blue Jays manager John Farrell. "You could say he would bend but he didn't break. He's the reason why we're in that game in the middle innings."

Drabek, who lost his only other start to the Mariners last season, has had some control issues in the early going, though, as he has walked seven batters in 13 innings of work.

Getting the call for the Mariners today will be lefty Jason Vargas, who is coming off a horrific effort his last time out. Vargas fell to 0-1 on the young season on Friday against Cleveland, which battered him for seven runs and nine hits in just 3 1/3 innings.

"They just started hitting the ball," Vargas said. "(I was) making some pitches and (they) started dumping it in, started smelling it and (I) couldn't shut it down."

Vargas did not get a decision in his only other appearance against the Blue Jays.

On Tuesday Michael Pineda picked up his first major-league win, outdueling Toronto southpaw Ricky Romero, as Seattle eked out a 3-2 victory.

Ryan Langerhans clubbed a two-run home run to support Pineda (1-1), who displayed command over 7 1/3 frames, striking out seven and walking two while allowing two runs -- one earned -- on five hits.

Seattle has now won two straight following a seven-game losing streak.

Romero (1-1) was nearly as good, giving up three runs -- two earned -- on five hits with eight strikeouts and a pair of walks in a complete game. The southpaw has given up just four earned runs in three starts this season.

Corey Patterson drove in a pair of runs in Toronto's fourth straight setback.

"My job was to go out there and go as many innings as possible," Romero said. "My goal was to go as deep as possible. If you look at the positive side, me going a complete game helps out our staff."

Toronto took three of five from the Mariners last season and has won six of the last 10 matchups in the series.