Welcome to Seattle Seth Smith! Mariners Win 4-1 on Opening Day

Apr 6, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Dustin Ackley (13, left) is greeted by shortstop Brad Miller (5) after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. Seattle defeated Los Angeles, 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners were very productive offensively in Spring Training, and they had the mojo working this afternoon at Safeco Field. The M’s tallied 10 hits, with 3 doubles, 1 triple, and 1 home run off the Angels’ ace. As I mentioned earlier, Seth Smith led the way for Seattle, but a number of players come through with big hits on Opening Day.

Austin Jackson was hot this spring, and he finished 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored in his first Opening Day in a Mariners’ uniform. Jackson’s double came on a breaking ball from Jered Weaver that was scorched down the left field line. Brad Miller also had a nice day, going 2 for 3 with a run scored. Today’s showing was a good start for the M’s shortstop, and made me feel a little more confident in my prediction that he will represent Seattle at the All Star Game this July.

The AckAttack is back, and I could not be happier. Dustin Ackley put together a quality spring training in Arizona, and today he hit his first home run of the 2015 season. His dinger was a moonshot, and gave the M’s some much-needed breathing room. The bearded beauty was a catalyst for Seattle last summer, proving to be their best hitter in July and August. Ackley hit out of the number 8 spot on Monday, and if he can keep hitting the ball hard he will really lengthen the Mariners’ lineup.

Next: Looking Ahead