TEMPE, Ariz. – The Mariners came up short to the Los Angeles Angels, 8-4, before a crowd of 7,613 on Monday night at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
The Angels got on the board in the bottom of the 1st as Justin Upton delivered an RBI-double. Seattle evened the score at 1-1 in the top of the 4th. Daniel Vogelbach greeted Angels reliever Felix Pena by depositing his first pitch beyond the right field fence for Vogelbach’s 5th home run of the spring. Vogelbach is now batting .400 (18×45) with 8 runs, 6 doubles, 5 home runs, 11 RBI and 10 walks in 17 games this spring.
Los Angeles broke the game open with 7 runs in the bottom of the 5th. In the top of the 6th, Mike Ford belted a solo home run to right field, cutting the Angels, lead, 8-2. Kirk Nieuwenhuis connected for his first home runs of the spring – a solo homer – in the top of the 7th. The Mariners added a run in the top of the 8th as Danny Muno doubled with one out and scored on Mike Marjama’s two-out double. Marjama went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI tonight.
Making his 5th appearance (1st start) of the spring, Christian Bergman gave up 4 runs (2 earned runs) on 7 hits while walking 1 and striking out 3 in 4.1 innings pitched. Chasen Bradford worked 0.2 innings, allowing 4 runs (3 earned runs) on 5 hits and 1 walk. Dan Altavilla worked a scoreless 6th inning, fanning 2 batters. Marc Rzepczynski retired the Angels in order in the 7th, striking out 2. Johendi Jiminian struck out 1 in a scoreless 8th inning.
The Mariners (11-14-1) have the second of three off days this spring tomorrow before returning to Cactus League action Wednesday, March 21 against the Milwaukee Brewers at 6:40 pm at Peoria Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on 710 ESPN Seattle, the Mariners Radio Network and Mariners.com. It will also be televised live in HD on ROOT SPORTS NW. Right-hander Mike Leake is slated to start for the Mariners.
