PEORIA, Ariz. – Outfielder Jason Bay drilled a two-run homer with his first swing of the spring, jump-starting the Seattle Mariners 8-6 win over the San Diego Padres in front of 5,194 fans at Peoria Stadium.
Bay's blast to left was the first of three, two-run homers for the Mariners as Justin Smoak (#1, in the fifth inning) and Mike Jacobs (#1, in the ninth) also drilled long-balls. Seattle built an 8-1 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, but a pair of errors helped San Diego score 5 runs (only 2 earned runs) to make the final score close.
In addition to the two-run homers in the first, fifth and ninth, Seattle scored single runs in the seventh and eighth. Catcher John Hicks was 2-for-2, the only Mariners player with multiple hits in Seattle's 10-hit attack.
Seattle starter Blake Beavan (1-0) picked up the win. He allowed just a pair of singles over 2.0 innings, while striking out one. Kameron Loe (1.0 IP, 2 SO), Taijuan Walker (1.0 IP, 1 H), Danny Hultzen (1.0 IP, 2 SO), Carson Smith (1.0 IP, 1 SO) and Jonathan Arias (1.0 IP) all had scoreless outings. Hultzen retired three batters, striking out two, on seven total pitches, all strikes. Bobby LaFromboise (1.0 IP) was touched for a single run in the sixth inning, and Jhonny Nunez was charged with five runs, two earned, in the ninth.
The Mariners (1-1) and Padres (1-1) return to Cactus League play tomorrow (Sunday, February 24) at 12:05 PT/1:05 MT at Peoria Stadium. The game will be broadcast in the Seattle area on 710 ESPN Seattle and the Mariners Radio Network. Right-handed pitcher Erasmo Ramirez is scheduled to start for the Mariners against Padres right-hander Freddy Garcia.
