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Feliz makes first big league start vs. Mariners

Apr 10, 2012 - 2:41 PM (Sports Network) - Neftali Feliz makes his first major league start this evening when the Texas Rangers continue a four-game set with the Seattle Mariners at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

After two successful seasons as the Rangers' closer, Feliz was added to the rotation this offseason following the free agent departure of left-hander C.J. Wilson. Feliz had saved 72 games over the past two years and his 2.55 ERA in team history among pitchers with at least 150 career innings.

"I'm fulfilling my dream of being a starter in the major leagues, and I'm happy that this day is finally coming," Feliz said.

In 2008, Feliz split the season between Single-A and Double-A, starting 27 games and throwing 127 1/3 innings while maintaining a 2.69 ERA. He gave up just 89 hits while striking out 153. He also kept the ball in the park and limited his free passes, giving up just three homers and walking 51.

A sore shoulder limited him this spring, as he was only able to toss 13 innings. Feliz, though, has never given up a run in 17 appearances against the Mariners spanning 16 innings.

Hopefully Feliz gets off to a better start than Yu Darvish did in his debut on Monday. But after giving up five runs in the first two innings, Darvish settled down and pitched into the sixth inning, as the Rangers' bats exploded in an 11-5 triumph.

After a fee of $51.7 million to Japan's Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters and a six-year, $60 million contract in the offseason, Darvish (1-0) was torched for four runs in the first inning, as the Mariners batted around, but ended his first start giving up five runs on eight hits with four walks and five strikeouts over 5 2/3 frames.

Ian Kinsler, who has reportedly agreed to a five-year extension to stay in Texas, and Nelson Cruz each hit a three-run home run while Mitch Moreland added a two-run home run and two runs scored for the Rangers, who took two of three from the White Sox to start the season.

Kyle Seager went 3-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored while Ichiro Suzuki added three hits and two runs scored for the Mariners, who took a pair of games from Oakland on Friday and Saturday. Hector Noesi (0-1) was banged up for seven runs on six hits with three walks over just three-plus innings of work.

"You can't give anybody outs at this level, especially these guys," Mariners shortstop Brendan Ryan said about the Rangers. "Every single guy can hit the ball out of the yard and they don't seem to foul those pitches off. They hit the barrel."

Heading to the hill this evening for the Mariners will be right-hander Blake Beavan, who was a first round draft pick of the Rangers and grew up just 10 minutes from their ballpark.

"I can't wait to actually pitch in Arlington for the first time," Beavan said. "I'll just try to keep the ball to left. Left field plays pretty good. Right field is a different story. Left-center, you've got to stroke it, but right field is like Arizona -- the ball flies. Even if a guy mis-hits it but gets the barrel on it, it's got a chance of going."

Beavan, acquired from the Rangers in the Cliff Lee deal, got his first taste of major league action in 2011, posting a 5-6 mark to go along with a 4.27 ERA in 15 starts. He also set a rookie record last season by throwing six straight quality starts.

He went 1-1 with a 3.48 ERA this spring to earn a rotation spot.

Texas was an incredible 15-4 last season versus the Mariners.