Montero hits grand slam, M’s beat Reds 16-0

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Homer Bailey thought the numbers looked a lot worse than he pitched.

Jesus Montero hit a grand slam, Michael Saunders homered among his three hits and the Seattle Mariners hammered Bailey in a 16-0 rout of the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.

Saunders connected off Bailey, and Justin Smoak added two hits off the right-hander, driving in three runs. Montero’s slam came off Wilken De La Rosa, one of two non-roster pitchers left in Reds camp.

Bailey was scheduled to pitch five innings but lasted only 3 1-3, allowing nine runs on nine hits and two walks. He struck out five.

“It was their day, not mine,” Bailey said.

The Reds let two fly balls drop while Bailey was on the mound and committed an error.

“I don’t think it was as bad as the line looks,” Bailey said. “They hit that one home run but other than that, there were a lot of ground balls that went through, dropped balls. I made some good pitches and struck a few guys out, but it seemed like every time they put it in play there was a runner on.

“I think the catcher (Montero) hit a couple of them up the middle, some broken-bat hits. It’s kind of frustrating sometimes.”

Saunders also doubled, singled and scored three times from the leadoff spot. He was named to the all-WBC team as a member of Team Canada.

Montero was 3 for 3 and is hitting .405 with 10 RBIs this spring, including six on Monday.

Brandon Maurer continued to impress the Mariners. He gave up six hits and a walk in five innings, striking out seven. The 22-year-old is making a strong case to earn a spot in Seattle’s starting rotation.

Selected by the Mariners in the 23rd round of the 2008 draft, Maurer is testing manager Eric Wedge’s resolve to keep the competition going.

“We are trying to go all the way through. Part of my discipline is keeping my mind open to the very end,” Wedge said. “The very end is approaching quickly here. We’ll see how the next couple days play out, but it’s safe to say we are close to making a decision.”

Maurer made his case on the mound.

“I can’t think about competing for the spot,” Maurer said. “I just have to concentrate on going out there and getting ready for the next start. Those guys can hit. It was good to go out there and get a couple of them out.”

Maurer used his changeup and curve, two pitches that needed work coming into camp.

“It was nice to go out and have a little confidence in them,” he said.

The outing lowered Maurer’s spring ERA to 0.90. He has allowed two earned runs in 20 innings. He also pitched out of a bases-loaded jam on Monday.

“Maurer threw the ball very well against a good group of hitters,” Wedge said. “Pitching out of that situation isn’t something we haven’t seen. It reaffirms what we’ve seen. For him to pitch the way he pitched and have the time he sat on the bench today and still be effective was very impressive.”

Jack Hannahan and Zack Cozart doubled, and Brandon Phillips tripled among the Reds’ seven scattered hits.

“We looked kind of pitiful,” manager Dusty Baker said. “We didn’t catch. We didn’t hit. Nothing. Homer didn’t throw the ball that bad. They got some two-out hits. We didn’t help him on defense.”

NOTES: Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo threw some pitches to test his right hand. Arroyo was hit on his pitching hand by David Murphy’s comebacker Sunday against Texas. X-rays were negative. Arroyo is expected to make his final spring start on Friday. … INF Jason Donald will get some at-bats in minor league camp. He is out with a sore knee. Donald is one of three players competing for the Reds’ final utility role. … The Mariners placed RHP Josh Kinney on the 60-day disabled list, then added Kameron Loe to the 40-man roster. … Saunders’ homer was his third of the spring. Montero has two grand slams this spring.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.