GOODYEAR, Ariz. –The Mariners scored 5 runs in the 6th inning, highlighted by Mike Marjama’s three-run, inside-the-park home run, in a 5-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds before a crowd of 6,302 on Saturday night at Goodyear Ballpark. Seattle’s bullpen of Dan Altavilla, Marc Rzepczynski, Christian Bergman and Art Warren combined for 6.0 scoreless innings in which they did not walk a batter while allowing 2 hits and striking out 3.
The Reds took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st inning on a two-run home run from Devin Mesoraco. Cincinnati threatened to score again in the bottom of the 3rd, loading the bases with one out. Mesarco lifted a fly ball to center field, but Dee Gordon glided under it and threw a strike to Tuffy Gosewisch at home plate to complete the 8-2 double play.
The Mariners plated 5 runs in the 6th to take a 5-2 lead. Gordon singled and stole 2nd base with one out beforeKyle Seager worked a two-out walk. Mike Ford then followed by ripping a double – his second of the evening – down the right field line to score both Gordon and Seager. Andrew Aplin then drew a walk to set up two runners on and two outs for Marjama, who drove a 1-0 pitch off the wall in right-center field and raced around the bases for a three-run, inside-the-park home run.
In his 3rd start of the spring, Aríel Miranda went 3.0 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4. Altavilla worked a clean 4th inning and has now retired 15 of 16 batters faced this spring. Altavilla was helped out tonight byGuillermo Heredia, who made a leaping catch at the wall in left field for the final out of the 4th. Rzepczynski struck out one in a 1-2-3 bottom of the 5th and recorded the win to move to 2-0 this spring. Bergman tossed 3.0 scoreless innings, scattering 2 hits and fanning 2. Warren earned the save – his first of the spring – after retiring the Reds in order in the 9th.
The Mariners (6-9-1) return to Cactus League action tomorrow (Sunday, March 11) hosting the Cincinnati Reds at 1:10 p.m. 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 onROOT SPORTS NW. Right-hander Mike Leake is slated to start for the Mariners against Reds left-hander Brandon Finnegan.
