Mariners vs. Kansas City Royals at Surprise, Ariz. 12:05 p.m.
Radio: KOMO (1000 AM)
Pitchers: Right-hander Gil Meche will start for the Mariners and pitch the first four innings, followed by right-handers Kevin Jarvis and Aaron Looper.
The 24-year-old middle infielder, acquired in January from Detroit in the Carlos Guillen trade, went 3-for-5 Friday, stole a base and played flawless defense against the Giants. His spring training average is a team-best .480 and he hasn’t made an error.
“He’s making plays deep in the hole, showing a lot of range and making a nice little bid for himself,” Melvin said.
Where Santiago plays by the season opener may be determined in the final two weeks of spring training. He essentially is competing for the final roster spot with Willie Bloomquist, who went 2-for-5 Friday to help break the free fall that spring training had become for him. Bloomquist is now batting .233.
Melvin said early in camp that Bloomquist probably would make the team, but he also said that could change. Santiago, who batted .225 with 20 errors with the Tigers in his first big-league season, is forcing Melvin to take notice if nothing else.
“He’s putting together some good at-bats,” Melvin said. “He has a plan when he goes up there. He’s seeing the ball very well. He’s taking some pitches and he’s impressing every time he goes out there.”
Melvin, getting another good-natured dig at his former team, when asked if he would load his lineup with starters Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Before Bonds led off the bottom of the fourth, Patrick took over again: “Now batting, No. 25, the man who hit a home run for me in his first at-bat, Barry Bonds!”
As if on cue, Bonds homered again.
There wasn’t a third time; Bonds left the game after his second blast.
Kirby Arnold, Herald Writer
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