SHANNON DRAYER

Mariners Notebook: Flexen not sharp but bats produce in tie with Brewers

Mar 26, 2022, 5:43 PM
Mariners Chris Flexen...
Mariners pitcher Chris Flexen throws against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

It was a day of nothing to write home about for the Mariners on the pitching side as they played to a 7-7 tie against the Brewers in Maryvale, Ariz., on Saturday afternoon.

Drayer: Sergio Romo not shy about sharing his experience, passing it on

These days happen in season and out, but for starter Chris Flexen, he would just rather they not, especially in an abbreviated spring training when starters will get four starts max.

“With a short turnaround, you are trying to get into compete mode to get ready for the season, still trying to make sure stuff is sharp and crisp,” he said. “Today was just one of those days. I wasn’t sharp, didn’t command the ball, made a lot of mistakes and it showed. Simple as that.”

Making his second start of the spring, Flexen threw four innings, surrendering four runs on five hits while walking one and striking out two. He gave up three solo home runs, with Andrew McCutchen hitting two – both first-pitch shots, one to right and then one to left.

To his credit, Flexen mixed in all four of his pitches, but the command was just not there.

“It’s something where you just continue to work, get back in the bullpen and make sure mechanics are on time and crisp and continue to compete,” he said.

Flexen was not alone in getting roughed up via the longball as the Brewers ran out their A squad against the Mariners. Kolten Wong took M’s reliever Diego Castillo deep in his inning of work and Keston Hiura recorded a solo shot against Kyle Bird. On the bright side, Matt Festa turned in his third hitless and scoreless outing of the spring, striking out two in the eighth inning.

Mariners notes

• After the game, manager Scott Servais pointed out that the Mariners reached double digits in the hit category for the first time this spring. He liked what he saw from catcher Tom Murphy, who went 1 for 2 with a two-run single to center. “Murph made a really good mechanical adjustment today to help out his timing and mindset,” he said. “We talk all the time, make sure you have got a good pitch to hit, but you have got to be in swing mode, you have got to be in hit mode, and then trust your eyes to take the pitches you don’t feel are there for you. I thought he did a good job on that today.”

• Outfielder Taylor Trammel had the loudest hit of the day for the Mariners, a solo homer to the right of the batter’s eye.

• Earlier in the day, we learned that first baseman Evan White has been diagnosed with a sports hernia and was in the process of finding a surgeon. As of yet there is no word on how long he is expected to be out.

• Outfielder Kyle Lewis continues to progress in his return from knee surgery. He has yet to run the bases but was scheduled Saturday to run straight – no turns – on the basepaths.

• The Mariners have announced three more roster moves with Devin Sweet, Roenis Elías and Jake Anchia re-assigned to minor league camp.

• The Mariners take on the A’s in Mesa on Sunday. Matt Brash is scheduled to start with George Kirby to follow. The game will air at 1 p.m. on Seattle Sports 710 AM.

Mariners Notebook: Kelenic gets his timing down with help from Souza

Date Starting Pitcher
Friday, March 24 @ 6:40 pm Athletics' Mason Miller RHP vs. Mariners' Luis Castillo RHP

Shannon Drayer

Mariners Andrés Muñoz...
Shannon Drayer

Drayer: Mariners fireballer Andrés Muñoz brings more than just new pitch into ’23

Hard-throwing Mariners reliever Andrés Muñoz is armed with more confidence after a great 2022 season -- plus a ridiculous new pitch.
19 hours ago
Mariners Jarred Kelenic Tom Murphy...
Shannon Drayer

Mariners Notebook: Updates on Kelenic, Murphy; lineup to be ‘fluid’

Mariners insider Shannon Drayer has the latest on minor injuries to Jarred Kelenic and Tom Murphy and much more from spring training.
3 days ago
Mariners Logan Gilbert...
Shannon Drayer

Mariners Notebook: Gilbert shines; updates on dings and dents

Logan Gilbert had his best outing of the spring, while the bumps and bruises of Mariners camp are starting to pile up. Shannon Drayer has the details.
5 days ago
Mariners Robbie Ray...
Shannon Drayer

Mariners Notebook: Kelenic catches up to deGrom, Ray impresses again

Shannon Drayer details why the Mariners Radio Network team called an audible Sunday and what they saw from the M's against Jacob deGrom in Surprise.
6 days ago
Mariners George Kirby...
Shannon Drayer

Mariners’ George Kirby bringing confidence, ease into 2nd season

George Kirby was perhaps the best rookie pitcher in the AL last season, and the Mariners starter is working on building off that performance.
6 days ago
Mariners Dylan Moore...
Shannon Drayer

Mariners Notebook: Moore out ‘at least a couple weeks,’ WBC guys return

Mariners insider Shannon Drayer has the latest on Dylan Moore's injury and how long he'll be out as well as much more in her latest notebook.
8 days ago
Mariners Notebook: Flexen not sharp but bats produce in tie with Brewers