Ramirez joining Mariners for twin bill

OAKLAND -- Right-hander Erasmo Ramirez will be the extra man the Mariners are allowed to carry because of the doubleheader, and he'll start the second game on Wednesday againt the A's.

While manager Lloyd McClendon had said ace Felix Hernandez would start the first game at 12:35 p.m. PT, he waited until after Tuesday night's 8-3 win at the Coliseum to announce Ramirez's role.

"My understanding, they've got a 26th guy over there, too," McClendon said before the game. "We don't know their plans yet, either."

Ramirez began the season in the Mariners' rotation, going 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA and 1.58 WHIP before being optioned to Class A Advanced High Desert on April 24. The 24-year-old Nicaraguan made one start with the Mavericks before making another with Triple-A Tacoma.

Right-hander Arnold Leon (2-1, 4.34 ERA) joined the Oakland clubhouse from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, but A's manager Bob Melvin planned to wait until Wednesday to reveal his Game 2 starter. Dan Straily (1-2, 5.01 ERA), who gave up three runs over six innings against Seattle on April 5, will oppose Hernandez in the opener.