Logan Morrison taking a cut during an earlier spring training game, he hit well today. (Photo: Reed Schmitt)
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Seattle Mariners defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-3 in Cactus League action Thursday in front of a sold-out crowd of 12,611 at Salt River Fields.
Starting pitcher Blake Beavan set the tone for the game, working 4.2 innings and allowing just 1 run while scattering 5 hits and striking out 4. His only run allowed came in the fourth inning when, working with a 4-0 lead, he allowed a leadoff double that came around to score on a pair of outs. Beavan improved to 2-0 this spring, and lowered his earned run average to 2.13.
Second baseman Robinson Cano was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs batted in. He is now batting .609 this spring (14-for-23). Logan Morrison, playing first base today, was also 2-for-4 and slugged his first home run of the spring to boost Seattle’s lead to 5-1 in the fifth inning.
Seattle jumped to a 1-0 lead in the first inning off top D-Backs prospect Archie Bradley (2-1 after the loss) when Endy Chavez led off with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error and scored on a ground out by Cano. The Mariners added three more runs in the second, on a Nick Franklin walk, Dustin Ackleysingle, Michael Saunders RBI single, Willie Bloomquist RBI single and a Cano RBI single.
Seattle scored its final run on a Chavez RBI single scoring Ackley.
Hector Noesi worked 2.1 innings of shutout relief. He was followed by Yoervis Medina (1.0 IP, 1 ER) and Zach Miner (1.0 IP, 1 ER).
The Mariners (13-4-1) return to Cactus League action tomorrow back at Salt River Fields with a road night game at the Colorado Rockies (6:40 pm). RH Felix Hernandez (1-0, 8.31) will make his third spring start against Rockies LH Franklin Morales. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN 710 Seattle and selected stations on the Mariners radio network.
