MESA, Ariz. – The Mariners scored each of their nine runs with two outs in an 9-9 tie with the Chicago Cubs on Monday afternoon in front of a crowd of 10,021 at Sloan Park. Mariners minor league infielder Seth Mejias-Brean belted a pinch-hit grand slam with two outs in the top of the 7th to cap Seattle’s scoring for the afternoon.
Right-hander Félix Hernández exited today’s start after being struck on the upper right forearm by a line drive with one out in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Hernández was examined at the Mariners facility in Peoria by Dr. Rice. A precautionary X-ray of Hernández’s right forearm was negative. He is day-to-day. Hernández will be re-evaluated tomorrow.
The Mariners mounted a two-out rally in the bottom of 2nd as four consecutive batters reached base safely. Matt Hague began the scoring outburst with a solo home run to left field, his first of the spring. After David Freitas and Gordon Beckham recorded back-to-back singles, Dee Gordon belted a three-run home run to right field, giving the Mariners a 4-0 lead.
With two outs in the top of the 7th, pinch-hitter Joseph Odom brought home Danny Muno with an RBI-single to right field. The next two batters reached safely to load the bases for Mejias-Brean, who deposited a grand slam home run onto the berm in left field as the Mariners took a 9-2 lead.
The Cubs scored one run in the 2nd on a sacrifice fly, one in the 5th on a solo home run and 5 in the 8th on 4 hits, 2 hit batters and a Mariners fielding error. Chicago completed the comeback with a two-run home run in the bottom of the 9th.
Hernández tossed 1.1 innings, allowing 1 run on 1 hit while striking out 2. He retired the Cubs in order in the 1st, including strikeouts of Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo. Shawn Armstrong came on in relief and tossed 1.2 scoreless innings. Max Povse made his spring debut, allowing 1 run on a solo home run while striking out 2 in 2.0 innings of work. Ljay Newsome struck out 2 in 2.0 scoreless innings. Minor league call-up Jack Anderson allowed 5 runs (3 earned runs) on 4 hits and 2 hit batters. Dan Altavilla retired the only 3 batters he faced, striking out 2. Minor league call-up Seth Elledge worked the 9th inning and allowed a two-run home run.
The Mariners (2-1-1) return to Cactus League action tomorrow (Tuesday, February 27) with a home-road, split-squad doubleheader. Seattle will face the San Diego Padres at 1:10 p.m. at Peoria Stadium. Left-hander James Paxton is scheduled to start for the Mariners against Padres left-hander Clayton Richard. The Mariners matchup vs. the Padres will be broadcast (delayed) in the Seattle area on 710 ESPN Seattle and the Mariners Radio Network. The broadcast can be streamed live on Mariners.com. The Mariners will also travel to Surprise Stadium for a 1:05 p.m. first pitch against the Kansas City Royals. Right-hander Andrew Moore is slated to start for the Mariners opposite Royals right-hander Wily Peralta.
KPUG Edit: You can hear a replay of the Mariners vs. the Cubs on tape-delay tonight on KPUG 1170AM and 97.9FM with coverage starting at 6:55pm and a 7:05pm first pitch.
