Yes, Miguel Batista is back in the starting rotation, at least for tonight, and no one who knows is saying why - and those who don't know can't figure it out.
It could be a showcase for the Twins or somone else, but that seems unlikley. Batista has not pitched well consistently in any role this season.
It may simply be a case of why not Batista?
R.A. Dickey didn't seize a spot in the rotation when he had the opportunity, Brandon Morrow isn't quite ready for his big-league starting debut, Carlos Silva is still down.
Batista's last start was Aug. 4 - against the Twins. He lasted three innings, allowed six runs and got no decision.

That Was Easy ...
Eight pitches, three outs, see you later - that was Batista's first inning.
Now all the Mariners have to do is score on Francisco Liriano.
No problemo...

Ichiro Marches On ...
Ichiro's first-inning single was his 172nd hit of the season, with 31 games remaining.
Another 200-hit season - his eighth in a row - seems within reach.
Ichiro stole second (No. 39), took third on a fly ball and was stranded.
And Batista?
He's thrown 20 pitches (10 balls, 10 strikes) and has put down six of seven batters.
No score ...

Hey, He Got Excited ...
Batista continues to pitch well, and after retiring Carlos Gomez on a comebacker, he ran off the field.
Oops. It was the second out.
Back on the mound, Batista walked a man, gave up a stolen base and an RBI single to Alexi Casilla.
Twins 1, Mariners 0 ...

It's A One-Run Rout ...
Batista got help in the fourth - Ichiro threw a runner out at home, but Mr. Liriano hasn't needed any. He's mowing the Mariners down.
Lots of game left, but Batista looks mortal. Liriano? Not so much.
Batista's also on a pitch count - yes, Dave, that's for you - and may not get more than six innings in.
Twins 1, Mariners 0 ...

Luck Never Hurts ...
Mariners caught a break. After catcher Jamie Burke singles, a two-base error gets him to third and Miguel Cairo singles him home for the tie.
Cairo is stranded, as Ichiro, Betancourt and Ibanez go down in order.
To the sixth.
Mariners 1, Twins 1 ...

All Hail Miguel ...
Give him credit, Batisa pitched well for six innings, but after 95 pitches is probably done. Against a team in the pennant race, he gave up only one run.
If he had his way, this would be his last game in a Seattle, but he may have waited too long to make a good impression.
Now pitching for Seattle, Sean Green.
Mariners 1, Twins 1 ...

Today's pitchers ...
Eerie how similar the lines were on Liriano and Batista: Each threw 95 pitches, went six innings, allowed five hits, one run and struck out three.
Batista walked three, Liriano one.
Now it belongs go the bullpens, which means newcomer Eddie Guardado may get the chance to face Seattle again.
With Texas, he was vintage Eddie: 88 mph fastball on the outside corner, at the knees. Try to pull that pitch, it's an easy ground ball. The Mariners - and most other teams - still try to pull it.
Mariners 1, Twins 1 ...

Advantage, Twins ...
Against Green, Twins put together a rally that includes a pair of two-out singles, and they take the lead.
Minnesota's hitters rarely try to do more than they're capable of, and it shows. When singles will do the job, they hit singles.
Patience at the plate, along with an idea of what's needed, make them a dangerous team year after year.
Now pitching, Mr. Guardado.
Twins 2, Mariners 1 ...

Not So Fast ...
Adrian Beltre doubles, Jose Lopez gets aboard on an E-6 and Jeff Clement grounded into a ninth inning double play - as the tying run scored.
The Mariners aren't going quietly.
Maybe they won't go at all.
Mariners 2, Twins 2 ...

Goodbye, baseball ...
Adrian Beltre's sixth career walk off home run ends the game in the 11th inning, coming with Raul Ibanez aboard.
That's 49 wins.
Mariners 4, Twins 2 ...

Mark Lowe was optioned to Triple A Tacoma today and replaced on the roster by reliever Randy Messneger. One of the main reasons is that Lowe will be unavailable for the next few days after taking a line drive off the foot from Frank Thomas. The Mariners needed an arm in the bullpen. Still, Lowe has been a little off as of late.

This month he has allowed 14 earned runs on 20 hits in his last nine games (8.2 IP) to raise his ERA from 4.08 on July 30 to 5.73.

Messenger is a veteran reliever with plenty of big league experience. He was picked up midseason by the Rainiers.

Here's the official release from the Ms.

SEATTLE, Wash. - Seattle Mariners Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Lee Pelekoudas announced today that the Mariners have optioned right-handed pitcher Mark Lowe to AAA Tacoma. To take his spot on the Major League, 25-man roster, the club has selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Randy Messenger from Tacoma.

Messenger will wear #26 and will be in uniform for tonight's 7:10 p.m. game vs. the Minnesota Twins.

Messenger, 27, was 6-0 with 1 save and a 2.38 ERA (6 ER, 22.2 IP) in 12 relief appearances for the Tacoma Rainiers. He signed with Seattle as a minor league free agent on July 10 after being released by San Francisco on July 9. He went 3-4 with 3 saves and a 4.83 ERA (22 ER, 41.0 IP) in 29 appearances for AAA Fresno prior to being released.

The right-hander combined to go 2-4, 4.20 (30 ER, 64.1 IP) in a career-high 60 appearances split between the Florida Marlins and San Francisco Giants in 2007. He was acquired by San Francisco on May 31 in exchange for RHP Armando Benitez.

In parts of three Major League seasons with the Marlins and Giants, Messenger has combined to go 4-11, 5.01 (90 ER, 161.2 IP) with 1 save.

Lowe, 25, made 50 appearances in relief for Seattle this season. He compiled a 1-4 mark with 1 save and a 5.73 ERA, striking out 46 in 55.0 innings pitched. Lowe did not allow a run in 32 of his 50 appearances this season, and worked 2.0 or more innings 10 times. Lowe recorded his only win this season April 29 at Cleveland, and collected his first Major League save April 11 vs. Los Angeles (AL). He has struggled this month, allowing 14 earned runs on 20 hits in his last nine games (8.2 IP) to raise his ERA from 4.08 on July 30 to 5.73 today. Lowe's previous career-high for appearances was 39 in 2006, split between A, AA and the Majors. He spent most of the 2007 season on the disabled list after undergoing elbow surgery on Oct. 6, 2006.

When the Mariners lock up with the Minnesota Twins the next three games, they're almost certain to run into an old friend - Eddie Guardado.

The left-handed reliever who once closed for the Mariners was acquired from the Texas Rangers today for the Twins stretch run.

It cost the Twins 21-year-old right-hander Mark Hamburger, a Class A closer.

For those with short memories, J.J. Putz credits Guardado for teaching him how to handle the role of closer - and for refining Putz's propensity for the practical joke.

Putz showed Guardado how well he'd learned by a) taking his job, through no fault of his own and b) sneaking into Guardado's hotel room, stealing his underwear and hanging it from doorknobs up and down the hallway of the Four Seasons.

Welcome back to a pennant race, Eddie. Watch you boxers.