Seattle Mariners Game Recap: M’s Beat Cleveland 5-2

Mar 4, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (32) pitches against the San Diego Padres during a spring training baseball game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners rode a strong outing from Taijuan Walker as they cruised to victory over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night in Peoria. Despite allowing a run in his lone inning of work, David Rollins (1-0, 1.42 ERA) picked up his first win of the spring. TJ House (1-1, 4.97 ERA) was tonight’s losing pitcher after struggling in relief for Cleveland.

The M’s struck first in the second inning on Thursday evening following a string of singles. All Star third baseman Kyle Seager led off the second by singling on a sharp ground ball to right field. Logan Morrison followed with a single of his own on a ground ball to right field. The M’s had runners on first and second with none out. Dustin Ackley made it three singles in a row when he lined the first pitch he saw into center field. Michael Bourn had trouble fielding the ball in center, and Seager hustled around to score from second base to give the Mariners a 1-0 lead.

Cleveland stormed back to tie the game at 1 in the top of the fifth inning. After receiving four shutout innings from Taijuan Walker, the M’s turned to stellar southpaw David Rollins. Erik Gonzalez hit a groundball into right field to lead off the frame for Cleveland. After Rollins was able to retire the next two hitters, Michael Brantley cashed in Gonzalez on a single to left field.

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The momentum gained by Cleveland in the top of the fifth was quickly squashed by the Mariners in the bottom half of the inning. Austin Jackson led off the frame by lining a single to center field. Following a Seth Smith walk, Robinson Cano laced a two run double into the right-center field gap. Cano’s double was a laser beam that rolled all the way to the wall. Dustin Ackley drove in his second run of the game when he hit a two out single to center field. The Mariners took a 4-1 lead into the sixth inning.

The M’s extended their lead in the bottom of the seventh. Patrick Kivlehan is opening some eyes this spring, and he collected another hit tonight by singling to center field. Youngster Jabari Bash bashed a double into the left-center field gap to bring the sprinting Kivlehan around to score all the way from first base. However, Bash was a bit bashful, and he was thrown out trying to turn his double into a triple. The Mariners led 5-1 after seven innings on Thursday night in Peoria.

Cleveland must have been inspired by some of the March Madness action on Thursday morning because they attempted a last second comeback of their own. Top prospect Francisco Lindor narrowed the gap to three when he took a Matt Anderson offering over the wall in right field. Lindor has star written all over him, and tonight he gave Cleveland fans a sampling of what the future holds.

Thankfully, that was as close as Cleveland could get tonight, and the Mariners held on for a 5-2 win.

Click here for the entire box score from Thursday night’s game.

Next: Tai Walker Hurls Four Shutout Innings

Mar 4, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (32) pitches against the San Diego Padres during a spring training baseball game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Taijuan Walker has now started spring training by pitching 12 straight shutout frames. Obviously, Walker has been very impressive this spring, and he is currently running away with the fifth starter spot. Tai allowed two hits and walked two on Thursday, but he also tallied five strikeouts. Tonight’s performance may not have been as dominant as his first three outings, but his maturity on the mound was impressive.

The 22-year-old right-hander ran into trouble in the second inning. Following a Brandon Moss single, Walker plunked Yan Gomes and walked Lonnie Chisenhall to load the bases with just one out. Walker battled back, striking out Jose Ramirez on a great curveball. Walker induced an easy pop out from Erik Gonzalez to end the threat. Walker’s ability to stay calm in tense situations will be key to his success in 2015, and tonight’s showing gives me a lot of confidence going forward.

Next: Kyle Seager Goes 3 for 3

Sep 4, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager (15) drives in a run with a base hit in the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Seager had a great game for the Mariners on Thursday night in Peoria. Seager went 3 for 3 with 3 singles and 1 run scored. As always, Seags played solid defense at the hawt corner. Seager is now hitting .400 this spring, and looks more than ready for opening day.

It goes without saying that for the Mariners to get where they want to go this season a strong season from Kyle Seager will be critical. Seags has improved in each of his three seasons, and in 2014 he was arguably the top third baseman in baseball. Seager made his first All Star appearance and won his first Gold Glove last season. He is one of the bright young stars in baseball, and with Cano and Nelson Cruz due to hit in front of him this season, we could see the best season yet from Seager in 2015.

Next: Top Prospect Impresses

The Mariners spent the sixth overall pick in the 2014 draft on power hitting corner outfielder Alex Jackson. The Mariners are high on Jackson’s abilities, and tonight fans got their first glimpse of why he is rated by MLB.com as the M’s top prospect.

Aug 24, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; American catcher Alex Jackson (10) rounds second base during the 2013 Under Armour All-American Baseball game at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Reid Compton-USA TODAY Sports

The 19-year-old Jackson entered the game in the fifth inning as a pinch hitter, and prompted delivered a broken bat single to left field. Jackson showed plenty of strength to get the ball into the outfield. Jackson looked very comfortable out in right field catching a couple of fly balls, including one right up against the right field wall. He struck out in his second at bat of the ballgame in the eighth inning, but I came away very impressed by the youngster’s ability to play.

I hope we get more chances to see Alex Jackson play as the spring goes on. I really like what I saw from Jackson tonight, and I think we could see him in Seattle as early as 2016.

Next: Looking Forward