by SeattleMariners.com
PEORIA, Ariz. – Casper Wells went 3-for-4 with 5 RBI and fell a home run short of the cycle as the Seattle Mariners slugged their way to a 16-6 victory over the Colorado Rockies Monday afternoon in Cactus League play. The win extended the Mariners (10-1) spring winning streak to 10 consecutive games.
Raul Ibañez (#2) and Kyle Seager (#1) hit home runs to lead the 16-hit parade, giving Seattle 24 home runs in 11 games this spring, the most in baseball (Cactus or Grapefruit League). The Mariners have now collected multi-homer games in each of the last eight contests, and have had 16 different players hit at least one home run.
Ibañez (2x2, 3 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI), Wells (3x4, 2B, 3B, 3 R, 5 RBI), Eric Thames (2x5, R, 2 2B, 2 RBI), Kelly Shoppach (2x4, 2B, 3 RBI), Carlos Triunfel (2x5) and Carlos Peguero (2x3, 2 R, 2B) all recorded multi-hit games as the Mariners tied their spring-high in hits.
The Mariners jumped to a quick 3-0 lead after three innings behind run-scoring hits from Wells and Thames in the first, and a solo home run by Ibañez in the third. Colorado tied it with three runs off Taijuan Walker in the top of the fourth, but the Mariners exploded for 11 runs over the fourth (6 runs) and fifth (5 runs) innings.
Seattle starter Jon Garland did not factor into the decision despite throwing 2.0 scoreless innings (2 H, 2 BB, K). Walker (1-0) earned the win allowing four hits and three runs in 2.0 innings.
The Mariners (10-1) are off tomorrow, and return to Cactus League action Wednesday hosting the Milwaukee Brewers (4-6) at Peoria Stadium (12:05 PT/1:05 MT).
