Split-squad Mariners see bats go quiet in losses to Diamondbacks, Giants
By Charles Hamaker
Peoria and Scottsdale, AZ – In a rare Split-squad game with only a few days left in Spring Training (two games left after today), the Seattle Mariners fell in both games on the day. While the Mariners bats have been hotter than the sun in their last two games played this Spring, that mattered not as they want quiet for most of both games, the one on the road against the Giants in Scottsdale and the one at home against the Diamondbacks. Home starter Robbie Ray dealt five solid innings in his final tune up prior to Opening Day, while young and exciting prospect Bryce Miller struggled through just three. Seattle’s Spring Training record drops to 14 wins 12 losses, and 2 ties.
Seattle outfielder Teoscar Hernandez speaks with Root sports (Photo by Liv Lyons)
4-1 loss to Diamondbacks
Robbie Ray’s final outing of Spring
Seattle starting pitcher Robbie Ray looked like himself in his start today at the Peoria Sports Complex, tossing strikeouts and delivering his notorious grunts through the course of his outing. Ray struck out five Arizona batters and only allowed two hits and a walk in the game surrendering weak contact all but once to the Diamondbacks. That one instance was when Phillip Evans doubled to left field, a ball that Cooper Hummel wasn’t able to get to. A sacrifice bunt and a single later, and the Diamondbacks had blooped a run in on Ray, who had a solid outing otherwise. Ray had a nice tune up outing prior to his second season with Seattle beginning, and he should be even better this season with a new pitch in his arsenal.
Mariners starter Robbie Ray threw five solid innings (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Bats go whisper-like quiet
The Mariners split squad that stayed at home consisted largely of players starters and those that will either make the roster as bench players or head down to the minor leagues upon the conclusion of this year's Spring Training in a few days. Six of the nine hitters that began the game for Seattle failed to register a hit, and only five walks were drawn throughout the course of the contest that took place inside of the Peoria Sports Complex while the other half of the group was in Scottsdale.
Seattle outfielder Jarred Kelenic’s day through pictures (Photos by Liv Lyons)
7-4 loss to Giants
Bryce Miller struggles
Young Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller struggled in his outing against the Giants, and although we knew this earlier in the Spring, he won’t crack the Opening Day roster and may not see the big leagues for a little bit. The prized right-handed prospect only lasted three innings, allowing five runs (four of them earned) on eight hits while giving up a walk in comparison to only four strikeouts. While San Francisco’s lineup isn’t exactly murderers' row when it comes to their bats, the Giants got after Miller with good contact, and a few wild pitches in the bottom of the fourth innings. He’s still incredibly talented and will be just fine, but it’s clear that Miller has some things to work on.
Too little, too late
Seattle’s offense found some production in this game from Alberto Rodriguez, a three-run homer, but it was far little too late in this contest. Four of the Mariners nine starting batters failed to record a hit in the game, including names like Julio Rodriguez and Ty France. Giants starter Logan Webb was wheeling and dealing through five innings, allowing only one run on a Mike Ford single to center that drove in Zach DeLoach. The first run of the game for the visiting Mariners didn’t come across until the top of the sixth, and the rest of those runs (Rodriguez’s homer) weren’t until the ninth inning when Seattle was attempting a miraculous comeback. I want to say something that I mentioned the last two games, when the team put up a combined 32 runs across those 18 combined innings: Don’t take a ton of stock in the result, it likely won’t mean much when the regular season gets into full swing.
Quick notes
Seattle starter Robbie Ray allowed just two hits in five innings of work while striking out five today in Peoria in a Cactus League match-up vs. Arizona.
Mariners saw their four-game winning streak snapped in split-squad action.
Attendance for the game in Peoria was 7,869
Game time was two hours and 26 minutes
Mariners starter Bryce Miller tossed 3.0 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits, walking one and striking out four in his second career Cactus League start.
Attendance for the game in Scottsdale was 11,038
Game time was two hours and 43 minutes
What’s next?
Tomorrow, the Mariners will remain at the Peoria Sports Complex but will be the “away team” as the San Diego Padres will be hosting when the two teams meet for a day game. Mariners starter Logan Gilbert will get his final outing of the Spring when he faces Michael Wacha of the Padres. The Mariners will get their full squad back following an odd time for a split-squad game (yesterday), and we will see many of Seattle’s top relievers get work in following Gilbert in tomorrow’s game. First pitch at the Peoria Sports Complex will take place at 1:10PM PST.