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Struggling Indians continue series against Mariners

Jul 19, 2008 - 10:11 AM Cleveland (41-54) at Seattle (38-58), 3:55 pm EDT

SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Casey Blake and the struggling Cleveland Indians will face the Seattle Mariners on Saturday at Safeco Field.

Blake blasted a solo homer on Friday, the Indians' only offense against Felix Hernandez's stellar pitching.

Hernandez threw six solid innings and struck out eight against a team that owns the worst record in the American League Central Division.

Seattle, which is also stuck in the basement of its division, will send Miguel Batista (4-10, 6.22 ERA) to the mound on Saturday in place of Jarrod Washburn, who had his start moved back after becoming sick with the flu.

Batista returns to the rotation on Saturday after being demoted to the bullpen following a terrible start to the season. The 37-year-old righthander allowed one run and one hit in two innings of relief during the Mariners 6-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics on July 9.

Seattle received some good news in regard to their bullpen woes. Closer J.J. Putz, who is on the disabled list with elbow troubles, threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings and struck out one in a rehabilitation outing for Class AAA Tacoma on Friday.

Jeremy Sowers (0-5, 7.51) will take the ball for Cleveland. The 25-year-old lefthander is coming off a start in which he walked seven and allowed two runs and three hits in four shaky innings against the Tampa Bay Rays.