Seattle Mariners Break Even in Split Squad Games

Mar 4, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; The Seattle Mariners look on during the national anthem before facing the San Diego Padres in a spring training baseball game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners took on the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago White Sox on Saturday afternoon in Arizona, and they ended up breaking even. Today was the first set of the split squad games this spring for the Mariners. The M’s hosted the D-backs in Peoria, but came up just short, losing 4-3. The Mariners made the short trip south to Glendale and beat the Chicago White Sox by a final score of 11-7. The Mariners raised their record to 3-2 in Cactus League action.

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Veteran southpaw Dan Runzler picked up the win for the Diamondbacks. Jeremy Accardo picked up his first save of the spring for the D-backs after a perfect 9^th inning. Justin Germano was saddled with his first loss of the spring after blowing a 9^th inning lead for the Mariners.

Non-roster invitee Jordan Pries earned his first victory of the spring for the Mariners this afternoon against the White Sox. Although it was not a save opportunity, Carson Smith did a nice job shutting the door in the 9^th. The M’s roughed up White Sox starter Zach Putnam today. Putnam lasted just 0.2 innings and surrendered 4 runs on 3 hits. Putnam fell to 0-1 on the spring.

The Mariners were just three outs away from going 2-0 on the day, but a late rally from the Arizona Diamondbacks squashed the M’s bid for a perfect day. Still, the Mariners managed to dominate against the Chicago White Sox in Glendale, at one point leading the Pale Hos by a score of 11-1.

Click through to the next slide to find out which Mariners caught my eye from today’s games.

Next: Kuma Impresses in Spring Debut

Hisashi Iwakuma Looks Good in Spring Debut

Hisashi Iwakuma got the start today against he Arizona Diamondbacks, and he did not disappoint. Iwakuma did not end last season the way he wanted to. Kuma went 2-3 and recorded a 7.88 ERA across his final 32 innings of work in 2014. Today, Iwakuma looked more like the guy who went 12-6 and posted a miniscule 2.57 ERA from May 3^rd through August 19^th.

The 33-year-old pitched two perfect innings against the D-backs on Saturday. Iwakuma’s signature command was in fine form this afternoon. Kuma threw 22 pitches across two innings, and he landed in the strike zone 16 times. He was getting great movement on his pitches, as evidenced by the fact he retired the five of the six batters he faced on groundouts.

Kuma’s performance will be key for the M’s in 2015, and today’s results were very encouraging.

Next: Rickie Weeks Flexes his Muscles

Feb 26, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners infielder Rickie Weeks poses for a portrait during photo day at Peoria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

There is Nothing Weak about Rickie Weeks

Rickie Weeks is a strong man. He confirmed this statement by hitting a towering homerun to center field in the 5^th inning of today’s tilt with the Diamondbacks. The center field fence at the Peoria Sports Complex is 410 ft. away from home plate, and the batters eye attached to the fence is 40 ft. tall. Weeks’ homerun was the definition of a no doubter, as the ball remarkably sailed over the batters eye with ease.

Weeks was signed this offseason by the Mariners as a free agent to a one-year $2 million dollar deal. The 32-year-old has spent the first 11 years of his career playing second base with the Milwaukee Brewers. The M’s are moving Weeks to left field and plan to use him as part of platoon with Dustin Ackley in 2015. The right-handed hitting Weeks has had plenty of success against left-handed pitching during his career, and he is expected to see consistent at bats against southpaws this season.

Next: Both Shortstops have Nice Games

Mar 4, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop

Chris Taylor

(1) runs to first base against the San Diego Padres during a spring training baseball game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Brad Miller and Chris Taylor Are a Dead Heat Right Now

Brad Miller and Chris Taylor are currently fighting to become the everyday shortstop for the Mariners in 2015. Both players saw significant time with the M’s last season, and they both got the chance to start on Saturday. Taylor and Miller have both started hot, and they appear to be neck and neck after the first 5 games in spring training.

Brad Miller had a very nice game with the bat this afternoon in Glendale against the Chicago White Sox. Miller got the start at short and went 2-2 with a double, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored. He did however commit his first error of the spring in today’s game. Miller is widely considered to have more offensive upside than Taylor, but his defense is thought be not quite as strong.

Chris Taylor earned the start at shortstop today for the Mariners when they played host to the Diamondbacks. Taylor was coming off a game in which he went 2-2 with a triple, a home run, and 3 RBI’s. He continued to swing a hot bat on Saturday afternoon. Taylor went 1-2 with a single today, and played solid defense up the middle.

This competition should continue to fun to watch all spring.

Next: Ruggiano Goes Yard

Feb 26, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners outfielder

Justin Ruggiano

poses for a portrait during photo day at Peoria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Ruggiano Hits First Homerun of Spring

The Seattle Mariners acquired outfielder Justin Ruggiano from the Chicago Cubs this offseason. The 32-year-old is locked into a platoon out in right field with Seth Smith. The right-handed hitting Ruggiano will get consistent at bats this season against southpaws. On Saturday afternoon, Ruggiano stepped to the plate in the 3^rd inning and hit his first homerun of the spring. The long ball was of the three run variety, and really sparked the rest of the offense.

Justin Ruggiano has really shined since getting extended playing time with the Marlins in 2012. He has hit .258, with 31 homeruns, 86 RBI’s, and 29 stolen bases across 712 at bats over the past three seasons. The Austin, TX product has hit .266 with 20 home runs and 59 RBI’s over the course of 398 career at bats versus left-handed pitching. Ruggiano was a nice under the radar pickup by the M’s this offseason, and hopefully he is able to build off of today’s impressive output.

Next: Ketel Marte Appears Overmatched

Mar 4, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder

(70) and shortstop Ketel Marte (72) are unable to make a catch on a ball during a spring training baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Ketel Marte is Not Ready for Primetime

Ketel Marte was one of the prospects I was most looking forward to watching this spring. The 20-year-old tore up the minor leagues last season, and I had high hopes he would be ready to contribute at the Major League level at some point this season. His offense has lived up to the hype, but his defense has really let the team down thus far. He entered today’s game against the White Sox with 4 errors already this spring, and after yet another errant throw today, he was charged with his 5^th error of the spring.

I am still a believer in Marte’s skill set, but I am no longer in support of him making his debut with the Mariners this season. I think he needs a bit more seasoning in Tacoma before he is ready for the lights of Safeco. Thankfully, the M’s already have two shortstops who are more than capable of contributing at the big league level in 2015.

Next: Looking Ahead to Tomorrow's Game