M’s pound out 14 hits in 8-7 spring loss to Rockies

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Herald news service

PEORIA, Ariz. — The Seattle Mariners allowed five runs over the final two innings and fell to the Colorado Rockies 8-7 on Tuesday afternoon at Salt River Fields.

Seattle’s offense used a balanced attack as six players drove in at least one run, seven players scored a run and 12 different batters collected a hit. Gordon Beckham and Taylor Motter each recorded two of the Mariners’ 14 hits.

The Mariners jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning. Dee Gordon led off the inning with a single to left field, moved to third base on a single by Mitch Haniger and scored on a single by Nelson Cruz. After pulling up slightly running to first, Cruz left the game with right quad soreness and was replaced by Daniel Vogelbach.

The Mariners added another run in the top of the second inning as Beckham led off the inning with a double to left field and scored on a RBI single by David Freitas.

Seattle added four more runs in the top of the eighth inning on a 2-run double by Mike Ford, an RBI single by Beckham and a RBI single by Motter as the Mariners increased their lead 7-2.

Vogelbach has reached base safely in 10 of the 11 games he has received an at-bat. Overall this spring he is batting .433 with five doubles, two home runs, six RBI and eighth walks.

Starter Rob Whalen had a no decision despite allowing only one run and striking out nine over five innings.

Chasen Bradford, James Pazos, Art Warren and Dan Altavilla combined to allow seven runs over the final four innings.