Bullpen hangs tough

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Seattle manager John McLaren used words like “eventful” and “gut-check” to describe a harrowing ninth inning in which his bullpen faced eight batters and nearly blew a four-run lead.

All the while, Mariners starter Miguel Batista and injured closer J.J. Putz sweated it out until Ryan Rowland-Smith slipped a called third strike past Garret Anderson to secure Seattle’s 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.

“We took roll call in the ninth inning, but the bullpen hung together,” said McLaren, who used Mark Lowe, Brandon Morrow and Rowland-Smith to get the final three outs.

“The committee’s done a nice job while J.J.’s been gone. That’s a tough thing, to ask young guys to toe the rubber with the game on the line in the ninth inning. It wasn’t easy at times, but they stood their ground.”

Putz, who had a career-high 40 saves last season and the lowest ERA among relievers (1.38), has been sidelined since April 2 because of inflammation in cartilage on his right side. He threw a simulated game Saturday and is hopeful of being activated from the disabled list Tuesday for the start of a six-game homestand with Baltimore and Oakland.

“You want to be out there because that’s your job, and I want to get back as soon as I can,” Putz said. “But at the same time, we have to be patient with everything and not rush it – because if you rush it, it could come back real quick and set you back ever farther.

“It’s just frustrating because it puts guys in positions they’re not used to being in.”

Arthur Rhodes got the last out in the eighth for Batista (2-2), and Lowe walked three batters in the ninth before giving up a two-run single by Gary Matthews Jr. with two out.

Two batters before that hit, there was a controversial call by first-base umpire Alfonso Marquez, who ruled Erick Aybar out on a close play after Lowe fielded his high chopper and flipped the ball to Richie Sexson. Manager Mike Scioscia came out to argue, but to no avail.

Morrow walked Vladimir Guerrero after Matthews’ hit, reloading the bases, and Rowland-Smith froze Anderson with a 3-2 slider to earn his second save.

Batista (2-2) scattered eight hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings, struck out eight and walked one while lowering his ERA from 6.35 to 4.38. The 37-year-old right-hander did not allow a runner past second base, and six of the hits he gave up came with two out.

Sexson hit a two-run homer, helping the Mariners avoid a three-game sweep by the Angels.