"Jack Cust found himself in a relatively unfamiliar place on Tuesday night - the Mariners' starting lineup.

The one-time starting designated hitter, who has been relegated to sometime pinch hitter, got a rare start at DH and was batting eighth in the order.

"Custy hasn't been in there in quite a while," Mariners manager Eric Wedge said before the game.

Cust's last start was on June 14 against the Los Angeles Angels.

Since then he's appeared in three games as a pinch hitter. He came into the game hitting .216 (40-for-185) with two homers and 19 RBI.

"I understand the situation," he said. "I feel I can help the team out. Obviously, I haven't, up to this point, hit up to my potential. I'm a streaky guy. I haven't gotten hot yet. I feel I can get hot and carry a team for a little bit when I do. I've done it in the past."

But Wedge and the Mariners can't afford to wait until that happens. They have enough bats in the order failing to produce.

"It's no secret we've been struggling to score runs," Cust said. "They're trying anything they can. Unfortunately for myself personally, it's cost me at-bats."

Wedge respects the way Cust has handled the situation and kept trying to get better.

"He's been a terrific teammate," Wedge said. "He's handled himself as a great pro. We have some good conversations. He's working in batting practice. He's utilizing his time to try and find it. I think it's a good opportunity to get him in there. Obviously, we are still trying to shake things up and get things going."

And while Cust wants the at-bats back, he knows they have to be earned.

"That's the way the game is," he said. "I can't say I've done anything to warrant playing anymore than I have. When I get in there, I'm hoping my timing is good and it clicks and go from there. I feel I can help this team score runs."

Evidence of that came early Tuesday. Cust jumped on the first pitch he saw from Braves starter Tommy Hanson for an RBI double in the second inning, then he hit a solo homer off Hanson in his second at-bat in the fourth inning."