• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Blue Jays host Mariners, aim to climb over .500

Jul 25, 2008 - 10:12 AM Seattle (38-63) at Toronto (51-51) 7:07 p.m. EDT

TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Toronto Blue Jays shoot for their fourth straight win when they host the Seattle Mariners on Friday.

The Blue Jays won the final three games of a four-game set at the Baltimore Orioles and are a win away from climbing over the .500 mark for the first time since June 13. Toronto has won nine of 13 overall.

Toronto will turn to lefthander John Parrish (1-0, 4.50 ERA), who endured the shortest of his three starts in his last outing, allowing four runs in three innings against the Tampa Bay Rays.

While the Blue Jays are ascending toward respectability, the Mariners continue to struggle and easily own the worst record in the American League. Seattle has lost five straight and is coming off a sweep by the Boston Red Sox.

Miguel Batista (5-11, 6.89) has been ineffective for the majority of the season and will take the mound for the Mariners. He allowed eight runs in two innings against Cleveland last Saturday.

The veteran righthander has not made a start against Toronto this season, but has had some success against his old team in his career, going 3-2 with a 1.50 ERA in seven games.