Batista pitches through pain, but M's fall 9-6 to A's

PHOENIX — Miguel Batista left the Seattle Mariners' 9-6 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday because of a sore back.

Batista gave up two runs and two hits in three innings. His back stiffened up on him while he was sitting on the bench after the second.

"I've had problems with it the last few days, and we've been working on it," Batista said. "It was really bad; I couldn't finish my pitches."

Despite back pain, Batista retired the top of the A's lineup in order in the third.

"I wanted to prove a point to myself," he said. "I wanted to prove I could pitch hurt. How many chances in life do you have a chance to learn something you can use for a lifetime? It took me 20 years to pitch with confidence. It may sound stupid to a lot of people but it proved a lot to me."

Batista trotted out for the third inning before Mariners manager John McLaren could remove him.

"I found out about it the last inning," McLaren said. "I went to talk to the trainer about it and it sounded like it was not a big thing. I thought he threw well. He had good stuff. That was encouraging."

Mike Morse went 2-for-4 with a home run for the Mariners -- and his spring training average went down to .636 from .714. Morse, in competition for a back up outfield spot, has driven in six runs in five games.

Raul Ibanez had two hits and drove in two runs and Miguel Cairo added two hits for Seattle. Yung Chi Chen hit a home run in the top of the second.

A's opening-day starter Joe Blanton allowed two runs and four hits in four innings.

"I'm pretty much on track," said Blanton, who will get three more starts before the March 25 opener against Boston in Tokyo. "Right now I'm still just working the counts and getting my innings in. Later on in the spring, I might start pitching like it was more of a real game."

Jack Hannahan, who figures to play third until Eric Chavez is healthy, doubled twice. Brooks Conrad, Gregorio Petit and Wes Bankston each drove in two runs for the A's.

Notes: Mariners' 2B Jose Vidro was to see the team doctor on Tuesday for pain in his right elbow. ... A's RHP Keith Foulke (right calf strain) threw off a mound to hitters for the first time. ... A's SS Bobby Crosby (sore back) expects to return to the lineup on Wednesday. ... Mariners 3B Adrian Beltre remains in Mexico after the death of his wife's grandmother. He's due to return on Thursday.