Seattle Mariners Tie Chicago White Sox in Glendale

The Seattle Mariners (6-7) kissed their sister on Tuesday afternoon in Glendale. The Chicago White Sox (5-7) mounted a late comeback against the M’s bullpen to tie the game at 5. As is often the case in spring training, there were no extra innings (thankfully) this afternoon at Camelback Ranch.

Logan Morrison got the scoring started in the fourth inning for the Mariners on Tuesday afternoon. Morrison crushed a Jeff Samardzija offering to deep right field for a solo home run. The dinger was LoMo’s first of the spring, and gave the M’s a one run lead.

More from Mariners News

• Mariners starting pitching is being overlooked by MLB
• Baking the Cake: An Adjusted Mariners Offseason Plan
• Taylor Trammell Could Provide Impact to 2023 Mariners
• What Jerry Dipoto’s trades, comments mean for remainder of Mariners offseason
• Mariners Select Chris Clarke in Rule 5 Draft

The Mariners extended their lead in the fifth inning. Brad Miller worked a four-pitch walk to lead off the inning for the Mariners. James Jones doubled on a hard ground ball into the right field corner. Miller came around to score on Jones’s double to give the M’s a 2-0 lead. Robinson Cano cashed in Jones on a two out single to center field. Seattle took a three run lead into the bottom of the fifth inning.

Logan Morrison added to his already impressive day by drilling a leadoff triple to right field in the top of the sixth. Dustin Ackley and his majestic beard connected on a one out triple to center field. Ackley’s triple gave the M’s a four run lead.

The White Sox began slowly chipping away at the Mariners’ lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Yoervis Medina was asked to pitch for the Mariners in the sixth, and the Sox jumped all over him. Jose Abreu welcomed him to the ballgame by singling to center field on the very first pitch Medina threw. Adam LaRoche doubled home Abreu on the next pitch to shrink the M’s lead to three.

The Mariners made it four consecutive innings with at least one run scored in the top of the seventh. James Jones walked to open the frame, and quickly swiped second base to put himself in scoring position. Youngster Ketel Marte doubled on a line drive to right field to plate Jones and give the M’s a 5-1 lead.

Charlie Furbush allowed the Sox to load the bases with only one out in the bottom of the seventh. Andy Wilkins narrowed the margin to three by hitting a sacrifice fly to center field.

The White Sox knotted the game at 5 in the bottom of the eighth inning. Rafael Perez was called upon to hold the M’s lead, but he was not up to the task. Following a single and a double, the Sox had runners on second and third with one out. Geovany Soto brought the White Sox to within two after grounding out on a ball back to the pitcher. Trayce Thompson tied the game on a two run home run to left field.

Neither team was able to break the tie in the final inning, and the game ended with both teams deadlocked at 5.

The entire box score can be found here.

Before we take a look at what is coming up for the Mariners, click through to the next slide to find out what stood out in today’s game.

Next: Kuma Looks Good!

Mar 17, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma reacts in the dugout against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Hisashi Iwakuma Hurls Four Shutout Frames

Hisashi Iwakuma was far from perfect on Tuesday, but he managed to keep the White Sox off the scoreboard. Iwakuma allowed 5 hits on the day, but did strikeout two hitters across four innings. He had his typical pinpoint control, and did not issue a free pass to the Sox.

Kuma struggled down the stretch in 2014, but the M’s are banking on a return to dominance this season. Iwakuma’s performance in Arizona has been very encouraging, as he has now pitched six shutout innings to open spring training. Iwakuma is currently penciled in as the Mariners’ number two pitcher in 2015.

Next: LoMo Goes Yard!

Mar 10, 2015; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Logan Morrison (20) hits a single in the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

LoMo Comes up Big in Tie

Logan Morrison went 2 for 3 with a triple, home run and RBI on Tuesday afternoon in Glendale. Morrison worked the count full in the fourth inning before depositing a Jeff Samardzija offering into the cheap seats out in right field. LoMo showed off his wheels in the sixth when he hustled around to third base for a triple. Morrison is now batting .320 so far in Cactus League play.

Logan Morrison is a fan favorite in Seattle, and he drove the offense over the final month of the 2014 season. D.J. Peterson is the first baseman of the future in the Emerald City, but LoMo’s attitude is critical to the M’s success in the near future. Morrison is having a solid spring, and appears primed for a career year in 2015.

Next: Seth Smith is on Fire!

Mar 17, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners outfielder Seth Smith against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Seth Smith is Heating Up

The Mariners dealt for veteran outfielder Seth Smith this offseason from the San Diego Padres. Over the past week, Smith has been giving fans a glimpse of why the M’s are so high on him. Seth Smith went 2 for 3 this afternoon batting out of the number two hole. After starting the spring 0 for his first 8, but he has gone 5 for 10 since. Smith is batting .278 this spring, and is currently riding a four game hitting streak.

Seth Smith is expected to bat second and play right field when the Mariners are facing right-handed starting pitchers. Smith has been a very productive hitter over the course of his eight-year career, and that should not change in 2015.

Next: Who do the M's Play Tomorrow?