When right-hander Carlos Silva makes his regular-season debut with the Mariners in Wednesday night's rubber game series finale against the Rangers, he will use a new pitch that he developed during Spring Training -- the cutter.

"I threw it in the bullpen here [at Safeco Field], and I really liked what it did," he said of the pitch that breaks up and in on left-handed batters and away from right-handers. "I don't know how many times I'll throw it, but I have confidence in it."

Silva, signed as a free agent during the offseason, makes his 126th career start in his 260-game Major League career against the Rangers. The reputation Silva has built during his career is making hitters reach base on hits, not walks.

He ranks first among active pitchers with at least 800 innings of MLB experience for fewest walks issued over nine innings -- 1.63. In 2005 while pitching for the Twins, the bulky right-hander issued just 0.43 free passes every nine innings, the lowest mark among active pitchers.

His 1.60 walks per nine innings last season was the sixth-best in the Major Leagues.

He doesn't walk many, nor does he strike out many, which means Seattle's fielders should have a busy night at Safeco Field.

Pitching matchup
SEA: RHP Carlos Silva (0-0, -.-- ERA)
Silva had a so-so Spring Training, posting a 1-2 record and 7.32 ERA in five starts. But he said he noticed a big difference in the way his ball moved during his final outing in Las Vegas against the Cubs than in any of his four outings in Arizona.

TEX: RHP Jason Jennings (0-0, -.-- ERA)
The current Mariners are batting a collective .349 (29-for-83) against Jennings, with three home runs and 10 RBIs. First baseman Richie Sexson (.357) and right fielder Brad Wilkerson (.444) have enjoyed success against the Rangers right-hander.

Tidbits
The Mariners were 75-0 last season when leading after eight innings. They are 1-1 in 2008. ... When right-hander Mark Lowe replaced left-handed Eric O'Flaherty in the eighth inning Tuesday night, it was the first time Lowe pitched in back-to-back games since July 22-23 2006. ... Jose Vidro stole second base in the second inning Tuesday night, his first theft since April 23, 2006. ... Shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt had four hits, tying his career best, and Ichiro Suzuki went 3-for-5. All three hits were against starter Vicente Padilla. Ichiro is now 15-for-26 in his career against Padilla.

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On the Internet
 MLB.TV
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On radio
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Up next
• Thursday: Off-day
• Friday: Mariners (Jarrod Washburn, 0-0, -.--) at Orioles (Adam Loewen, 0-0, -.--), 4:05 p.m. PT
• Saturday: Mariners (Miguel Batista, 0-0, -.--) at Orioles (Jeremy Guthrie, 0-1, 8.44), 4:05 p.m. PT