(Best E Casino) - Seattle got a surprise outing from a struggling starter yesterday. The Mariners hope to get the same out of Miguel Batista tonight, when they go for a three-game sweep of the New York Mets at Shea Stadium.

Seattle is in position to sweep New York for the second straight meeting. The Mariners recorded a three-game sweep of the Mets at Safeco Field in 2005 and have now won seven straight over the club, having lost just once to them all- time in the regular season.

In order to post the sweep, which would be the first of the season for Seattle, the M's will need Batista to return to form. The right-hander, who starts for the first time since June 7 tonight, won 16 games in 2007, but is just 3-9 with a 6.26 earned run average this season. That includes just a 3-7 mark in 13 starts, but his last five outings have come out of the bullpen.

The 37-year-old has struggled in that role as well, as he posted two losses and two blown saves in that span with a 9.82 ERA. He blew a save on Saturday versus Atlanta, allowing two runs on two hits and a pair of walks without recording an out to take the loss.

Batista has lost his last five interleague decisions and is 4-3 with a 3.67 ERA in 19 games, including nine starts, over his career versus the Mets. That includes a 2-1 mark and 2.83 ERA in nine games (3 starts) at Shea.

The righty is starting tonight in the place of Erik Bedard, who is skipping this start due to back spasms that forced him out of Friday's start versus Atlanta after the third inning.

Batista will try to follow R.A. Dickey, who scattered six hits over seven scoreless frames on Tuesday in an 11-0 win. Dickey came into the game 0-3 with a 13.50 ERA in three starts this season.

Raul Ibanez and Richie Sexson each drove in three runs, while Kenji Johjima clubbed a two-run homer for the Mariners, who tied a season-high with 15 hits while following one run shy of matching their season-high in runs scored.

Last night marked the first time the club has won consecutive games since May 27-28 versus Boston. Seattle also won back-to-back road games for the first time since April 16-17 at Oakland, while improving to 3-2 on its current nine- game road trip.

John Maine will try to slow down the Mariners tonight and got back in the win column last time out for the Mets. The right-hander allowed two runs on six hits while striking out six over 6 2/3 innings on Friday in Colorado. It was just Maine's second win in his last seven starts and improved his record to 7-5 with a 3.78 ERA this year.

The 27-year-old Maine has never faced Seattle, but is 2-2 with a 4.56 ERA in four career interleague starts.

Maine should have David Wright behind him tonight after the third baseman was given the day off last night. Wright was the only major leaguer to play every inning of every game this season, including one start as a designated hitter. However, he is hitting .154 (2-for-13) over his last four games and despite leading the team with 12 homers, Wright hasn't gone deep since June 10.

Fernando Tatis replaced Wright and collected three of the Mets' eight hits last night. Oliver Perez (5-5) went five innings and allowed six runs -- five earned -- on seven hits for the Mets, who have dropped three of their last four outings.

Carlos Beltran and manager Jerry Manuel were ejected by home plate umpire Brian Runge in the bottom of the fourth inning for arguing balls and strikes.

Manuel is 3-4 since replacing the fired Willie Randolph last Tuesday, while interim Mariners manager Jim Riggleman is 3-2 since taking over for John McLaren at the start of this road trip.