PEORIA, Ariz. – Starter Marco Gonzales tossed 4.0 scoreless innings and Robinson Canó hit his first home run of the spring, but it wasn’t enough as the Mariners fell 7-3 against the Oakland Athletics at Peoria Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Mariners tallied the first run of the game as SS Jean Segura led off the 4th inning with a double to left field and later scored on a wild pitch. In 7 games this spring, Segura is batting .313 (5×16) with 4 runs scored, 1 double, 2 home runs, 6 RBI and 3 walks. The Mariners added two more runs in the bottom of the 6th inning, including a leadoff home run by Robinson Canó. 3B Taylor Motter recorded his 5th RBI of the spring with a bases loaded walk in the 6th.
Canó,1B Daniel Vogelbach and 2B Danny Muno each led the team with 2 hits, while Segura and LF Ian Miller each recorded 1 of the Mariners 8 hits. Four of the Mariners 8 hits were for extra-bases (3 2B, 1 HR).
LH Marco Gonzales made his third start of the spring allowing only 2 hits while walking 2 and striking out 1 over 4.0 scoreless innings. In three starts this spring, he has not allowed a run in 9.0 innings, allowing only 5 hits, 3 walks and striking out 9. After allowing two runs in his last appearance, LH Marc Rzepczynski struck out two in a 1-2-3 5th inning. RH David Phelps recorded the loss after allowing 4 runs on 4 hits, including two home runs, without recording an out in the top of the 6th inning. RH Mike Morin allowed an inherited runner to score and was also charged with 1 run in the 6th inning. RH Chase De Jong tossed a scoreless 7th inning and allowed 2 unearned runs in the top of the 8th inning. LH Sam Moll tossed a scoreless 9th inning, extending his scoreless innings streak to 4.0 innings in 4 appearances this spring.
The Mariners (5-7-1) return to Cactus League action tomorrow (Thursday, March 8) to host the San Francisco Giants at 6:40 p.m. MT/5:40 p.m. PT at Peoria Stadium. The game will be broadcast live in the Seattle area on 710 ESPN Seattle and the Mariners Radio Network. The broadcast can also be streamed live on Mariners.com. The game will be televised live in HD on ROOT SPORTS NW. Right-hander Rob Whalen is slated to start for the Mariners against Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto.
