A look at the Seattle Mariners in spring training.
With the wind blowing out and a group of struggling pitchers on the mound, Wednesday had the makings of an offensive day. Little did the Mariners know how offensive.
The M’s and Royals combined for 41 hits and 30 runs in the first game of a day-night double-header. And decided nothing. The Mariners scored four runs in the ninth inning and the game ended in a 15-15 tie.
In the second game, the Mariners held off a late Angels rally to win 4-3.
Right-hander Jorge Campillo, signed last month out of the Mexican League, gave up three hits and a run in five innings – then was shipped off to the minor league camp in the second of two roster cuts Wednesday.
Felix Hernandez, the Mariners’ 18-year-old prospect, worked two scoreless innings, including a three-pitch strikeout of Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrero.
The opener produced numbers like a slow-pitch softball game.
Raul Ibanez went 4-for-5, hit a home run, doubled and drove in six runs. Richie Sexson went 4-for-4, reached base five times, scored five times and hit his second home run of the exhibition season.
The Mariners clubbed 21 hits, the Royals 20, and the teams combined for 16 runs in the final three innings.
“This might be the dead-arm time of camp, but after that one I’ve got a dead (rear end),” manager Mike Hargrove said.
Today in camp
The game: Mariners vs. Brewers, 12:05 p.m. at Maryvale.
Radio: KOMO (1000 AM)
Of note: Three non-roster pitchers will work for the Mariners today as they continue their efforts to make the team. Right-hander Aaron Sele will start, followed by right-hander Jeff Nelson and left-hander Nate Bland. Ben Hendrickson will start for the Brewers.
Weather
Morning showers and a high of 67 are forecast for today.
On the trainer’s table
Closer Eddie Guardado said he felt fine Wednesday, one day after he threw 30 pitches in a simulated game. Guardado, who rehabbed his injured shoulder over the winter and suffered a strained right hamstring two weeks ago, is scheduled for another simulated game today.
Right-handed pitcher Rafael Soriano, who had major elbow surgery last summer and could be ready by mid-season, threw 60 pitches off flat ground Wednesday.
Outfielder Chris Snelling, who had arthroscopic knee surgery last month, is taking batting practice.
First baseman Bucky Jacobsen, rehabbing after knee surgery, expects to begin hitting off a tee on Saturday.
They said it
“We’re sitting there at 2:30 in the afternoon and Hassey says, ‘We’ll be out of here by 4 easy.’”
Ms manager Mike Hargrove, chiding bench coach Ron Hassey after the Mariners and Royals took 3 hours, 42 minutes to play a game that didn’t end until 4:48 p.m.
They did it
Several Mariners were given a survey from a national magazine that asked a variety of questions. Closer Eddie Guardado took a look at the first one and cringed.
It asked which hitter in baseball he feared most with the game on the line.
Guardado’s answer: “Nobody!”
Kirby Arnold, Herald Writer
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