The Mariners played their first split game of the spring and now they finally have enough players back from the WBC to split games, losing to the Padres at home and beating the Rockies on the road.
Home games: San Diego 9, Mariners 6
While not as bad as last week’s 27-6 blowout, San Diego’s offense once again took a toll on the Mariners’ pitching. The Ladds beat Luis Castillo with two solo homers and plenty of hard contact — though he only allowed a run in two solo at-bats. Other pitchers didn’t fare as well: Andrés Muñoz gave up a solo home run to freshman Padre Nick Castellanos [scans headlines urgently] Plus another run; Gunner Mayer, a pitcher I’d never heard of before today, gave up two home runs and three runs in just a third of an inning; and Jose Ferrell, despite striking out, also allowed a two-run home run to the Padres’ secondary catchers. The best pitching performance of the day came from Casey Legumina, who pitched two perfect innings behind Castillo.
advertise
The Mariners’ offense was solid, taking a slim 4-2 lead in the sixth inning off Le Gumina’s effort and a run on Luke Raley’s outfield shot:
And Colt Emerson’s home run, his second of the spring:
Emerson was also involved in the Mariners’ go-ahead score in the fifth inning. He made a valiant challenge on a strikeout, only to be called a walk. Luis Suisbell then loaded the bases and Brendan Donovan sacrificed him to give the Mariners the lead.
Another young player helped the Mariners extend their lead in the sixth inning, as Cole Young continued his strong performance with an RBI single and scored Luke Raley, who singled on a wild pitch and advanced to second.
advertise
San Diego opened up the scoring after that, beating the Mariners bullpen, but the Young Boys did get two more runs back late, with an RBI single by Fernin Celeston in the seventh inning and Austin St. Laurent’s RBI single in the ninth to score Colt Emerson’s final run, who got his second hit of the day in a nine-inning effort.
Away games: Mariners 10, Rockies 6
Cooper Criswell performed well despite some loud contact: an electric 114-mph single in the first and a back-to-back 100-mph-plus electric double in the second that gave Colorado two runs and tied the game after the Mariners struck first. He wasn’t particularly efficient, needing to throw 61 pitches to complete three innings and give up five hits, but he also struck out five and surrounded the Rockies with a nice changeup and a wicked cutter to get out of trouble. Loud contact is concerning, but Criswell has enough skills in his arsenal to survive in the lineup at least once.
Meanwhile, the Mariners’ “B” offense, with the Rockies tandem of Ryan Feltner and Chase Dolander vying for the fifth rotation spot like George Kirby and Matt Brush in 2022, is in dire shape. Mariners hitters caught Feltner for three runs in 3.1 innings, taking advantage of some poor command (four walks), then beat Doland in 3.2 innings, again taking advantage of three walks and driving in five more runs, despite Doland striking out four. Doland was hit hard in the sixth inning when he gave up three consecutive doubles to Rylan Thomas, Connor Joe and Carson Taylor, giving the Mariners an 8-5 lead.
advertise
The Mariners scored in the top of the ninth on a home run by prospect Colin Davis, scoring JT Arruda, who I’m embarrassed to say I’d never heard of before today. So we’re in the middle of spring training. That would give the Mariners a 10-6 lead they wouldn’t relinquish, ensuring a winner in today’s split game.
