Call to arms: Ambidextrous Venditte shines in debut

ARLINGTON — After a rough start by Hisashi Iwakuma, the Mariners literally switched things up on the Rangers in Monday’s 6-3 series-opening loss, with ambidextrous reliever Pat Venditte striking out a career-best five in a three-inning relief stint.

Venditte came on in the fourth inning after Iwakuma fell behind, 5-1, and the unique 31-year-old hurler stemmed the tide as he allowed just one hit and one run in tying the longest outing he’s had in his brief time in the Majors over the past two years with the A’s, Blue Jays and now Mariners.

Acquired from Toronto in early August and promoted from Triple-A on Saturday, Venditte impressed in his first foray with the Mariners.

“You want to show these guys that you can get outs,” he said. “When you come in throwing with both hands, for the guys that haven’t seen you before, you want to show them that you’re here to win. They’ll see what I’m about the next month here, but to get off on the right foot was big.”

Manager Scott Servais certainly liked what he saw in the 54-pitch outing from his versatile new reliever.

“Venditte did a great job mixing and matching and doing what he does,” Servais said. “It’s pretty remarkable when you sit there and watch how he does it.”

Venditte, who had a 4.58 ERA in 34 prior appearances with Oakland and Toronto, wasted no time making his mark as he struck out the first two batters he …

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