Mariners Game Recap: M’s Finish Spring Training on a High Note

Mar 22, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Logan Morrison (20) signs a ball for a fan prior to the game against the Texas Rangers at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners finished their 2015 Cactus League schedule with an exclamation mark, winning 6-3 against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday afternoon in Scottsdale, AZ. Taijuan Walker (4-0, 0.67 ERA) has been nearly perfect this spring, and he notched his 4^th victory of spring training this afternoon. Eddie Butler (1-4, 5.29 ERA) was roughed up today, and suffered his 4^th loss of the spring. Southpaw James Gillheeney picked up the save after shutting down the Rockies in the bottom of the 9^th inning.

The Mariners jumped all over Butler and the Rockies in the top of the 2^nd inning. Following a Nelson Cruz fly out, Kyle Seager hit ground ball back through the box into center field for a 1 out single. Logan Morrison clobbered the first pitch he saw deep to center field for a 2 run home run. Dustin Ackley and Mike Zunino both singled, and the M’s had runners on the corners with 2 out. Butler was very rattled on the mound, and he committed a balk to extend the Mariners’ lead. Ackley trotted home to score on the miscue, and Seattle took a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the 2^nd.

The Rockies clawed their way back into the game in the bottom half of the 2^nd inning. Taijuan Walker committed a rare mistake this afternoon, and 2014 batting champ Justin Morneau took advantage of it. Morneau drilled Walker’s 1-2 offering over the wall in right field to shrink the M’s lead to 3-1.

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The C & C Boys combined to spark the Mariners’ offense in the top of the 3^rd inning on Saturday afternoon. All Star second baseman Robinson Cano singled on a line drive to left field. Nelson Cruz ripped a single through the left side of the Rockies infield to put runners on the corners with only 1 out. Kyle Seager laced a 2 run triple down the right field line to give Seattle a 5-1 lead.

The Rockies chipped into the lead once more in the bottom of the 6^th inning. Veteran southpaw Charlie Furbush issued back-to-back walks to open the frame. After a double steal put runners on second and third, Jordan Ribera made the score 5-3 by doubling down the left field line.

Youngster Leury Bonilla extended the Mariners’ lead in the top of the 8^th inning. Bonilla lined the first pitch of the inning over the fence in left field to give the M’s a 6-3 lead.

The full box score can be found here.

Next: Taijuan Walker has All Star Potential in 2015