Mariners hit the ground running, hitting and throwing strikes
Feb 25, 2017, 3:48 PM | Updated: 5:01 pm
PEORIA, Ariz. – A 13-3 win over the Padres in game one of Cactus League play on Saturday is one manager Scott Servais is more than happy to take. The Mariners scored 13 runs on 17 hits, stole three bases and got things done on the pitching end as well with six pitchers combining to allow just three earned runs without surrendering a walk.
Plenty of good to be seen, and afterward Servais pointed to the three-run first inning as one of the many highlights that stood out.
“First inning I liked what I saw,” he said. “These guys look like they are ready to go. We swung the bats well and we pitched well. It was a good first outing.”
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In the first inning, Jean Segura, batting second, hit a double down the left field line and then Robinson Cano followed with a walk. Nelson Cruz stepped up to the plate next and sent a shot that landed just under the new big screen high on the berm in left field. Cruz, who is one of the many Mariners getting ready for the World Baseball Classic, believes his preparation for the tournament has put him ahead of schedule in Peoria.
“I know I need to get ready sooner than years past so I think the mentality changes, too,” he said. “It’s like late in spring training, you need to hurry up to get ready.”
Left-hander Ariel Miranda, who has been working on refining his breaking ball, pitched two innings in his start, allowing just one hit and striking out one. He said the breaking ball, which he worked on over the offseason in Miami with his trainer, felt good.
Miranda will be stretched out in camp in case the Mariners lose a starter during the spring, but for now he is on the outside looking into the rotation. The Mariners like the option they have of putting him in the bullpen if needed and while Miranda says he prefers to start, he is happy to pitch in whatever role they need him to.
“I’ve always liked starting,” he said through an interpreter. “When you are a starter you control 70 percent of the game. Obviously my preference is to start but I will do whatever they want me to do.”
There are not a lot of spots open for relievers but a number of bullpen contenders made a good first impression Saturday.
“I was really happy with what I saw with (James) Pazos,” Servais. “He’s still working on a couple of things but (Casey) Fien threw the ball well and (Shae) Simmons has got a great arm. A really good arm at the end.”
Other standouts included Guillermo Heredia, who went 3 for 3 with two doubles, three RBIs and a stolen base, and Jarrod Dyson, who showed his speed by reaching on an infield single and stealing a base.
“Every now and then I have to test the legs out to see if they are still working,” Dyson said after the game. “It felt good.”
For Servais, Dyson’s game was a good example of the style the Mariners have been working toward with some of the early work and chalk talks.
“That’s kind of what we talked about, find a way to get on base with the speed we have got,” Servais said. “We were pretty aggressive on the bases today and we are going to continue to do so.”
One down, 32 to go. The Mariners take on the Padres as the home team Sunday at 12:10 with Chris Heston getting the start.
