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

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.

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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.

.@Taytram24 says 👋 to the berm. #SeaUsRise pic.twitter.com/ABOToK2PnH

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) March 26, 2022

• 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.

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