Mariners Game Recap: Reserves Lead M’s past Padres in Peoria

The Seattle Mariners bested the San Diego Padres for the second consecutive day on Thursday afternoon in Peoria.

The Seattle Mariners (2-0) squeaked out a win against the San Diego Padres (2-0) on Friday afternoon, winning 6-5 in Peoria. The M’s received another strong showing from their pitching staff, and the reserves played a key role offensively. Steve Cishek (1-0, 0.00 ERA) picked up his first win of the spring for the Mariners, and Jose Torres (0-1, 18.00 ERA) took the loss for the home side.

More from Mariners News

• 2023 Steamer Projections: Teoscar Hernandez could see a drop in Seattle
• Steamer Projections: Julio Rodriguez to enter rarified air in 2023
• What if the Mariners traded FOR Tyler O’Neill this time?
• Mariners starting pitching is being overlooked by MLB
• Baking the Cake: An Adjusted Mariners Offseason Plan

Nate Karns got off to a bit of a rocky start on Thursday, allowing 1 hit and issuing a free pass in the first inning. However, the 28-year-old managed to work out of trouble without allowing a run. Karns looked much more impressive in his second inning of work, retiring the side in order. His four-seam fastball hit 94 mph consistently on the gun, and he showed off the knuckle-curve we’ve heard so much about. Overall, it was a solid first outing for Karns in his bid to win the final spot in the M’s starting rotation.

Joe Wieland replaced Karns in the third inning. He allowed a pair of hits, and surrendered the first run of the game in the third. Wieland fared much better during his second inning of work, and held the Padres off the scoreboard. New Mariners closer Steve Cishek allowed the first hitters he faced to reach in the fifth inning, but escaped unscathed thanks to a wacky double play. Blake Parker worked a scoreless sixth inning for Seattle. Justin De Fratus ran into some trouble in the seventh, and allowed a run to cross the plate. De Fratus fared much better in the eighth, as he retired the side in order. Casey Coleman entered with a four-run lead in the ninth, and he needed everyone of those runs. Coleman allowed three runs to cross the plate, but managed to shut the door just in time to for Seattle to eek out the win.

The Mariners reserves led the way offensively on Thursday afternoon in Peoria. Luis Sardinas was the standout performer today for Seattle. The 22-year-old clubbed a pair of 2-run doubles this afternoon, and accounted for 4 RBI. Dan Robertson had a triple yesterday, and he went 2 for 2 with a double and a run scored on Thursday. Shawn O’Malley had a single, and wheeled around from first base to score on Sardinas’ double in the 6th. Benji Gonzalez finished 2 for 3 with 1 RBI, 2 runs scored and a stolen base. Shortstop prospect Tyler Smith also had a double of his own today.

More from SoDo Mojo

• 2023 Steamer Projections: Teoscar Hernandez could see a drop in Seattle
• Could the Mariners Acquire AL Batting Champion, Luis Arraez?
• Steamer Projections: Julio Rodriguez to enter rarified air in 2023
• What if the Mariners traded FOR Tyler O’Neill this time?
• Mariners starting pitching is being overlooked by MLB

Stefen Romero is off to a fantastic start this spring with the Mariners. The Oregon State alum homered in yesterday’s game, and he excelled at the plate and the field this afternoon. He finished 1 for 1 with a single and a walk on Thursday. Romero also made a diving grab in right field to rob Adam Rosales of a hit in the second inning. He is trying to crack the M’s outfield rotation this spring, but his best chance to make the ball club might come as Adam Lind‘s platoon partner at first base. Unfortunately, Romero took a line drive off his knee at first base today, and had to leave the game. He likely just suffered a bruise, and hopefully we’ll see him back on the field soon.

Kyle Seager made an uncharacteristically poor decision on the base paths in the second inning this afternoon. With none out and runners on first and second base, Seags opted to test Jon Jay‘s throwing arm on a Steve Clevenger fly out to center field. Jay hit the cutoff man, and Seager was called out at third base. The play resulted in a 9-6-5 double play, and effectively killed the M’s rally. The Mariners had multiple issues with base running in 2015, and hopefully Seager’s blunder is not a sign of things to come.

Next: M's Sign 1B/OF Efren Navarro to Minor-League Deal

Up next for the Seattle Mariners (2-0) is a trip to Maryvale, AZ to take on the Milwaukee Brewers (1-0) tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 pm PT from the Maryvale Baseball Park. Taijuan Walker will toe the rubber for the M’s, and the BrewCrew have yet to announce a starting pitcher. Friday’s game will not be televised, but fans in the Pacific Northwest can listen on 710 ESPN.