Highlights: Mariners’ big names end spring training on high notes

The Seattle Mariners have wrapped up their Cactus League schedule, which means major league spring training is over and the regular season is truly right around the corner.

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The M’s finished Cactus League play Monday afternoon, and there were several notable highlights by key players over the past few days worth pointing to, which should help amp up Seattle fans ahead of Thursday’s season opener at T-Mobile Park.

Let’s start by going back to Friday, which you may have heard was an impressive 20-8 win over the Cleveland Guardians – who the Mariners will open the season against this week – featuring a whopping 26 hits and five home runs by the M’s. Two of those homers came off the bat of Cole Young – more on that here, including video of his 478-foot moonshoot that was the longest measured homer of any player this spring. Perennial All-Star Julio Rodríguez had one himself, which was his first of Cactus League play, though he also had a homer in the World Baseball Classic.

Rodríguez, Young and new leadoff man Brendan Donovan each had three hits, while Victor Robles had four and Dominic Canzone had five. Robles homered and Canzone had a grand slam, for good measure.

Also worth noting, relievers Matt Brash and Jose Ferrer each threw a scoreless innning.

Moving on to Saturday, the 7-1 final score in the favor of the Cubs doesn’t look great, but a few things still stood out for Seattle. On offense, first baseman Josh Naylor went 2 for 3 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored. And on the mound, George Kirby allowed just one earned run over 5 1/3 innings while Eduard Bazardo, who was a key reliever in Venezula’s WBC championship run, threw a perfect inning out of the bullpen.

On Sunday, starter Bryan Woo was the big story with six innings of one-run ball, allowing just three hits and no walks while striking out four in a 4-2 win over the Chicago White Sox.

All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz had a scorless inning of work, and Mitch Garver hit a two-run homer on the same day it was reported the veteran and late free agency re-signing had won the backup catcher role.

Finally, Monday’s finale was a 10-3 loss to the San Diego Padres, Seattle’s Peoria Sports Complex neighbors, but it wasn’t without some good signs. Such as Cal Raleigh and Randy Arozarena – you’ve probably seen those guys in a headline together a few times over the last couple weeks – both providing big hits.

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Raleigh went 2 for 3 with a double, and Arozarena homered for the second time in less than a week. Luis Castillo also had a strong outing, going five innings with five strikeouts, allowing just one run on four hits and a walk.

Next up for the Mariners is a workout at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday afternoon, and then – finally – opening day on Thursday. Seattle Sports will be there live at the park with Bump and Stacy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by Wyman and Bob across the street from 2-6 p.m. at Hatback Bar & Grille. The Mariners Radio Network pregame show hosted by M’s insider Shannon Drayer will start at 6 p.m., followed by first pitch at 7:10 p.m. against the Guardians.

For details on how to stream radio broadcasts of Mariners games all season long for free on the Seattle Sports app, click here.

More on the Seattle Mariners

• Mariners make five more roster moves as opening day nears
• Mariners re-assign top prospect Colt Emerson to minor league camp
• Three standouts from Seattle Mariners’ Spring Breakout game
• MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis: M’s have the best pitching prospect duo
• Seattle Mariners name Logan Gilbert opening day starter

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