PEORIA, Ariz. — Sure, it got close at the end, but the Seattle Mariners held on Thursday for a 6-5 victory over the San Diego Padres at the Peoria Sports Complex.
The Mariners jumped to a 6-1 lead through 6 1/2 innings behind a pair of two-run doubles by Luis Sardinas, who is battling Chris Taylor for duty as the club’s utility infielder.
It was still 6-2 entering the San Diego ninth before Casey Coleman yielded three runs, including a two-run homer by Christian Bethancourt after a two-out error by second baseman Benji Gonzalez that scored a run.
“It’s always tough to get the last out, isn’t it?” manager Scott Servais quipped.
Sardinas erased a 1-0 deficit with a two-run double in the sixth inning against Jose Torres before the Mariners added four unearned runs in the seventh by capitalizing on numerous San Diego mistakes.
Dario Pizzano reached on a two-base error and went to third on a balk before scoring on Efren Navarro’s sacrifice fly. Another error and an RBI single by Benji Gonzalez made it 4-1.
Sardinas followed with another two-run double.
“I’m getting my opportunity,” he said, “and I prepare every day. Four RBIs? I’ll take that, but more important is making the plays (on defense).”
Mariners starter Nathan Karns tried to get by primarily on his fastball at the outset. He wobbled a bit in a 22-pitch first inning but stranded runners at first and third by retiring Jose Pierla on a fielder’s-choice grounder to short.
That prompted a between-innings chat with pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. Karns said: “Mel said, ‘Let’s open it up. Just pitch and be you. Don’t try to restrict yourself.’
Karns then worked a 10-pitch second inning before exiting.
Alexei Ramirez’s two-out RBI single in the third against Joe Wieland ended the Padres’ 30-inning scoreless streak against the Mariners, which began last year with 19 innings in the regular season.
Play of the game
Closer Steve Cishek escaped a two-on, no-out jam in the fifth by getting a double-play grounder from John Jay.
The ball struck first baseman Stefen Romero so hard on the right knee that it caromed to shortstop Tyler Smith, who stepped on second base for the force and threw back to first.
While Romero recovered sufficiently to get the out, he then left the game.
“We were doing a back-pick on that play,” he said. “I was trying to come in, and I was going toward the bag. A low line drive with top spin. I tried to shift my weight back the other way to catch it.
“Luckily it (ricocheted) straight to Tyler.”
Romero was limping noticeably after the game.
“I don’t know how bad it is,” he said. “When it first happened, the adrenaline helped. But right now, it’s a little swollen.”
Plus
Karns made a quick adjustment to cover first base when Jesus Montero, after some hesitation, made a late break to field a squibber by Travis Jankowski to the right side. Karns veered away from making a play on the ball and got to the base in time to take a throw from Montero for the final out in the second inning. … Efren Navarro made a sweet pick at first base on a low throw from Sardinas at third. The play probably saved a run for reliever Justin De Fratus. … Center fielder Dan Robertson had a single and a double in two at-bats after replacing Boog Powell.
Minus
Kyle Seager tried to advance from second to third on a fly ball to center in the second inning. The Padres executed the relay perfectly for a double-play out: Jon Jay to Alexei Ramirez to Adam Rosales. … Benji Gonzalez’s two-out error in the ninth on a routine grounder opened the door to a three-run inning.
Quotable
“The way the ball was coming out of my hand,” Cishek said, “this was the best I’ve felt in two years. I’ve just got to learn how to hone it in a little bit and keep it in the zone. The ball was just jumping out of my hand.”
Cishek threw 12 pitches in a scoreless fifth inning.
Short hops
Wednesday’s 7-0 victory over the Padres marked only the second time the Mariners opened their spring with a shutout. The other was a 7-0 victory over Milwaukee on March 26, 1990. Spring training was delayed that year by labor issues. … The attendance was 3,901.
Up next
The Mariners play their first Cactus League road game at 12:05 p.m. Pacific time Thursday when they make the 14-mile trip to Maryvale to play Milwaukee.
Right-hander Taijuan Walker will start for the Mariners with Cody Martin, Mayckol Guaipe, Paul Fry, Adrian Sampson and David Rollins also scheduled to pitch.
The Brewers list right-hander Wily Peralta as their starter.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
