PEORIA, Ariz. – Jean Segura went 3-for-3 with 2 runs, 1 RBI and 1 walk, and Félix Hernández returned to Cactus League play with 3.2 innings of 1-run ball as the Mariners defeated the Chicago Cubs, 7-3, in front of a sellout crowd of 12,601 at Peoria Stadium on Saturday night.
Chicago got on the board with a leadoff home run in the top of the 1st, but the Cubs lead did not last long as Seattle responded with 2 runs in the bottom of the 1st. Dee Gordon drew a walk to lead off the frame, stole 2nd base and scored on Jean Segura’s single, sliding around home plate to elude the tag of Chicago catcher Chris Gimenez. Robinson Canó brought home Segura with a single to center field.
Seattle tacked on a run in the 6th on a throwing error. In the bottom of the 8th, the first five batters reached base safely as Gordon, Segura, Canó and Kyle Seager each singled while Nelson Cruz drew a walk. After nine Mariners came to the plate in the 8th, 4 runs came home on 5 hits and a sacrifice fly from Andrew Romine. The Cubs scored a pair of runs in the 9th, but the Mariners lead held up for a 7-3 victory.
In his second start of the spring, and his first since taking a line drive off his upper right forearm in a start on Feb. 26 at the Cubs, Hernández scattered 4 hits over 3.2 innings pitched while walking 1 and striking out 3. He allowed a leadoff home run before retiring 10 of the last 14 batters he faced. Dan Altavilla struck out the only batter he faced tonight. Altavilla’s 14 strikeouts this spring are tied with Mike Leake for 4th-most on the club. Marc Rzepczynski allowed a double to lead off the 5th inning but kept the Cubs off the board in the frame, striking out 1. Aríel Miranda tossed 3.0 scoreless innings, allowing only 1 walk while striking out 4. Ryan Cook worked the 9th inning and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks with 2 strikeouts.
The crowd of 12,601 at Peoria Stadium tonight is the 8th-largest crowd in Mariners Spring Training history.
The Mariners (14-14-2) return to Cactus League action tomorrow (Sunday, March 26) against the San Diego Padres at 12:10 pm at Peoria Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on 710 ESPN Seattle, the Mariners Radio Network and Mariners.com. Left-hander James Paxton is slated to start for the Mariners against Padres right-hander Dinelson Lamet.
Courtesy of Seattle Mariners.
