Mariners Game Recap: M’s Lose to Rockies in King Felix’s Spring Debut

Felix Hernandez’s spring got off to a rocky start on Monday, no pun intended.

The Colorado Rockies (7-6) topped the Seattle Mariners (7-7) on Monday afternoon in Peoria, AZ. Tyler Chatwood (1-0, 2.57 ERA) earned the victory for the Rockies after pitching 3 shutout innings for the visitors. Felix Hernandez (0-1, 11.57 ERA) did not look sharp in his Cactus League debut, and he was credited with the loss. Miguel Castro picked up his first save of the spring for Colorado.

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King Felix was in hot water early and often this afternoon. Trevor Story connected on a 1-out triple in the top of the 1st, and he hustled home to score later in the frame on a wild pitch. The Rockies had runners on the corners with only 1 out in the 2nd inning, but Hernandez tip toed out of danger without allowing a run. Felix also allowed the first three men he faced in the 3rd inning to reach safely before Scott Servais yanked him from the game. The 29-year-old right-hander allowed 6 hits while striking out 5 and walking 1 across 2.1 innings on Monday. The important takeaway is that Hernandez got his work in (50 pitches) and exited the game healthy.

Adrian Sampson replaced Felix in the 3rd inning, and he did not fare much better against the Rockies’ potent attack. The Sammamish, WA product allowed a pair of runs to score on 4 hits through 3.2 innings of work. Sampson struck out 1 and did not issue any free passes today. Samson is expected to fill a spot in the Tacoma Rainiers starting rotation this season.

Joaquin Benoit was called on to pitch the 7th inning for the Mariners, and he served up a solo home run to make it a 6-4 game. Matt Anderson made quick work of the Rockies in the 8th, as the 24-year-old right-hander pitched a perfect inning for Seattle. Casey Coleman turned in his most impressive outing of the spring in the 9th, blanking Colorado and recording 1 punch out.

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Adam Lind has had a relatively slow start to spring training, but he heated up in a big way today in Peoria. The M’s new first baseman paced the offense on Monday, going 2 for 3 with a double, a home run and 2 RBI. Lind showed off his powerful stroke on the solo blast, depositing an Eddie Butler changeup into the bullpen in right field. The 32-year-old is a very consistent producer with the bat, and the Mariners are hoping for a solid year from Lind in 2016.

Franklin Gutierrez also had a great game for Seattle on Monday. Death to Flying Things finished 2 for 3 with a home run and 2 RBI. Guti was a much more dangerous hitter in 2015, and his solo dinger today was his third of the spring. The 33-year-old is no longer considered an everyday player for the Mariners, but he will be relied upon to man right field against left-handed pitchers this season.

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Looking ahead, the Seattle Mariners (7-7) will travel south to Tempe, AZ on Tuesday to battle the Los Angeles Angels (7-6). First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 pm for Tempe Diablo Stadium. Cody Martin (0-0, 3.60 ERA) is normally used as a reliever by the M’s, but he will get a rare start against the Halos. Andrew Heaney (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will be on the bump for the home side. MLB.tv subscribers can watch tomorrow’s game live on connected devices, and fans in the Pacific Northwest can listen to the radio broadcast on 710 ESPN.