M’s hit 4 home runs in 10-7 spring loss to Giants

Published 1:30 am Friday, March 9, 2018

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Seattle Mariners and Giants each hit four home runs, but San Francisco prevailed, 10-7, before a sellout crowd on Friday afternoon at Scottsdale Stadium.

Dee Gordon homered twice, and Nelson Cruz and Daniel Vogelbach each hit one for the Mariners.

The scoring opened in the top of the second when Cruz led off with a single and advanced to third base on Vogelbach’s double. One batter later, Junior Lake brought Cruz home with a sacrifice fly to left field.

Brandon Belt’s two-run home run in the bottom of the second put the Giants in front, but their lead was short-lived.

After Ian Miller started the top of the third with a walk, Gordon followed with a two-run home run to right field. Two outs later, Cruz and Vogelbach hit back-to-back home runs, marking the first time this spring the Mariners have hit consecutive home runs. The Mariners plated four runs in the top of the third to take a 5-2 lead.

Vogelbach has reached base safely in seven of his past eight plate appearances, going 5-for-6 with four doubles, a home run and two walks during that span. He went 3-for-4 with two doubles to go along with his home run and is now batting .526 in eight games this spring.

Gordon is now batting .391 with seven runs, one double, one triple, three home runs and six RBI in nine games this spring.

James Paxton made his third start of the spring, allowing four runs on five hits while walking one and striking out four in three innings. After giving up a two-run home run in the bottom of the second, Paxton bounced back to strike out the side in the third.

James Pazos came on in relief of Paxton and allowed two hits, which allowed two inherited runners to score. Andrew Moore worked two innings, surrendering three runs on four hits while striking out three.