Mariners Game Recap: Prince Tai Dazzles, M’s Cage Cubs

2 of 5
Next

9. 3. 62. Final. 2

The Seattle Mariners played great baseball under the lights on Wednesday night against the Chicago Cubs in Peoria, AZ. Taijuan Walker (2-0, 0.00 ERA) tossed 6 shutout innings to pick up his second victory of the spring. Travis Wood (1-1, 4.19 ERA) was on the losing end for Chicago after allowing 3 runs across 5 innings of work. Dominic Leone gave up a couple runs in the 9th inning, but managed to record his first save in Cactus League action.

More from Mariners News

The Mariners jumped on Travis Wood in the bottom of the 1st inning tonight. Rickie Weeks stung a line drive into right field to lead off the ballgame for the M’s. Weeks advanced to third base on a 1 out Robinson Cano single. A Nelson Cruz walk loaded the bases for the Mariners with just 1 out. Kyle Seager drove a fly ball deep to center field to cash in Weeks on a sacrifice fly. Seattle took a 1-0 lead into the top of the 2nd inning.

Wednesday was Mike Zunino’s 24th birthday, and Travis Wood gave Zuni his present in the bottom of the 5th inning. Wood was very generous tonight, as he gave the birthday boy a giftwrapped hanging slider. Zunino literally broke the breaking ball, and deposited it into the berm out in right-center field. Zunino has had a fabulous spring, and tonight’s dinger was his fourth in Cactus League play. Seattle led 2-0 at this point.

The M’s were not finished in the 5th inning. Austin Jackson leads the club in hits this spring, and he added a 2 out single to his tally this evening. Robby Cano laced a double into the right-center gap to score a sprinting AJ. Cano’s two-bagger gave the Mariners a 3 run lead heading to the top of the 6th inning.

Dom Leone was called on to pitch the final frame for the Mariners. Leone struggled this evening, allowing 3 runs on 2 hits. Arismendy Alcantara led off the 9th with a bloop single to center field. Matt Szczur followed up with a triple to center field, plating Alcantara. Szczur came in to score on a booted ground ball by shortstop Chris Mariscal. The Cubs were able to get within a run, but Leone shut the door just in time to earn the save

The entire box score can be found here.

Next: Prince Tai Hurls 6 Scoreless Frames

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 made the Cubs look like they were still in hibernation on Wednesday night in Peoria. Walker was brilliant, pitching 6 shutout innings of 2 hit ball. Prince Tai electrified the crowd, striking out 6 and allowing just 3 base runners. Perhaps most impressive, Walker was very efficient with his pitch count, and induced 9 groundouts.

With the 6 innings tonight, Prince Tai has now hurled 18 consecutive scoreless frames to start Spring Training. To say he has dominated is an understatement. Tai has recorded 19 punch-outs, while limiting the opposition to just 6 hits and 10 total base runners. His 0.555 WHIP is incredible, as is his 4.75 strikeout to walk ratio. Walker is not just the best pitcher for the M’s this spring; he is the best pitcher in all of baseball right now.

I think it is safe to say that after tonight’s performance Tai Walker is locked in as the number 5 starter in the Mariners’ starting rotation. Walker will be an All Star this year if he can produce anything close to his spring training numbers in the regular season.

Next: Robby Cano Looks Ready for Opening Day

Mar 24, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners infielder Robinson Cano (22) at bat during a spring training game against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Robinson Cano had a big night on Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs. The superstar second baseman went 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI. His double was a rocket to the right-center gap that rolled all the way to the wall. Robby also turned a slick double play to get starter Taijuan Walker out of a jam in the top of the 6th inning.

Robinson Cano lived up to the hype in his debut season with the Mariners in 2014. He was a leader on the field, and instilled a confidence in the young players. He missed about a week of camp this spring traveling to the Dominican Republic to mourn the loss of his grandfather. However, he has not missed a beat. Robby is hitting .355 this spring, with 4 doubles and 5 RBI’s across 31 at bats. As always, he has looked smooth at second base defensively.

Look for Robby to have a career year hitting in front of slugger Nelson Cruz in 2015, as he attempts to lead the M’s to the Promised Land.

Next: Fernando Rodney Has Another Strong Outing

Feb 21, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) throws to first base during camp at Peoria Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

The Mariners brought Fernando Rodney in to pitch the 7th inning on Wednesday night against the Cubbies. The 38-year-old right-hander has had a quality spring, but this was by far his most impressive outing. Rodney struck out 2 while keeping Chicago off the scoreboard. He did surrender a double off the left field fence, but otherwise he was in complete control on the mound.

Fernando Rodney led the American League in saves in 2014, and the quirky 9th inning man has pitched 6 shutout innings this spring. Rodney has 7 strikeouts, and has allowed just 3 hits. He has had some trouble locating his pitches, and his 5 walks are proof of this, but that is the tradeoff with Rodney.

I expected a regression from his incredible season in 2014, but thus far in spring training, Rodney has been just as dominant as he was last season. I still have trouble trusting Rodney, but when he gets the job done, he is a fun player to watch.

Next: Looking Ahead

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

It will be a quick turnaround for the Seattle Mariners, as they will play a pair of games on Thursday afternoon in split squad action. Both games are scheduled to begin at 1:05 PST. The Mariners will play host to the Kansas City Royals in Peoria, and they will travel to Maryvale, AZ to take on the Milwaukee Brewers. Felix Hernandez (0-1, 11.57 ERA) will be on the bump against the Royals, and Roenis Elias (0-1, 3.86 ERA) will do battle with the Brew Crew. Veteran righty Jeremy Guthrie (0-1, 13.50 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Royals, and Mike Fiers (0-1, 5.79 ERA) will pitch for Milwaukee. You can watch King Felix make his third start of the spring live on Root Sports Northwest and MLB.tv.

Next: Happy Birthday Mike Zunino and Dan Wilson!

More from SoDo Mojo

Next