Miguel Batista, RH (16-11, 4.29/1.52) v. Adam Loewen, LH (2-0, 3.56/1.75)

Game time is 7:05 on MASN.

Batista will forever be a mild favorite just for being part of the team that, in retrospect, pretty much shut the door on the Yankee dynasty of the late 90s in 2001, starting Game 5 of the World Series and relieving in that electric Game 7. Sure, those D-backs were a mercenary group in their own way, but damned if Curt Schilling wasn't just a great pitcher back then, and let's not forget how mesmerizing pre-Yankee Randy Johnson was for all of us to watch.

Let's also not forget that two key cogs of the 2001 Diamondbacks were sent to Houston by some foolish organization in 1991 for this sumbitch.

Batista also notched a save on April 2 with J.J. Putz out of commission.

Adam Loewen. Aaaaadam Looooooewen. All things considered, even at 24 in four days, and even with the time he's been on the big league roster, we're still talking more prospect than anything else. He's got the stuff to get big league hitters out, sure. But he also retains the stuff to put them on first base without being forced into it. The 0.85-to-1 K-to-BB ratio from 2007's few appearances cannot continue. No kidding, huh?

Maybe Rick "Kranix" can get something out of him. Or perhaps he'll give up a home run to Richie "Sexton."

If you DO consider Loewen still a prospect, where would he rank among the Top 20 in the O's system? It's a worthwhile question. Personally, given his age, control issues, injury history, and all the other stuff -- good and band -- I'd probably put him right around the same area as Hayden Penn. They're probably at the same level of development and ceiling at this point, but Loewen has the better stuff and is left-handed, which never hurts.

Drop and drive, Adam. Drop and drive.

Diamond Dave had to drop the idea of Quiroz catching Loewen thanks to Ramon's big game yesterday.

MARINERS STARTING LINEUP

1. Ichiro, RF
2. Jose Lopez, 2B
3. Raul Ibanez, LF
4. Richie Sexson, 1B
5. Adrian Beltre, 3B
6. Mike Morse, RF
7. Jose Vidro, DH
8. Kenji Johjima, C
9. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS

ORIOLES STARTING LINEUP

1. Brian Roberts, 2B
2. Melvin Mora, 3B
3. Nick Markakis, RF
4. Kevin Millar, 1B
5. Aubrey Huff, DH
6. Luke Scott, LF
7. Ramon Hernandez, C
8. Adam Jones, CF
9. Brandon Fahey, SS
   

FUN STATS

• Batista has pitched in seven games at Camden Yards, but this will be his first start. The Orioles hammer him: 7.86/1.90, 17 K, 15 BB, 0-3 over 26 1/3 IP. He also has five saves against the Orioles.
• Brad Wilkerson is just 2-for-14 (.143/.316/.429) in his career at Camden Yards.
• I mentioned this at one point last year, too: Kevin Millar stinks against Seattle. .228/.293/.346 with two homers in 127 at-bats.
• Melvin Mora is 5-for-13 (.385) against Batista.