Mariners Game Recap: M’s Win Shootout With Cubs

The bats were alive this afternoon in Peoria, as the Seattle Mariners edged the Chicago Cubs.

It was a back and forth affair on Thursday afternoon between the Seattle Mariners (5-4) and the Chicago Cubs (1-8), but the M’s rallied late to win 10-8 in Peoria, AZ. Paul Fry (1-0, 6.00 ERA) was credited the win for Seattle, and Andury Acevedo (0-2, 19.29 ERA) took the loss for the Cubbies. Blake Parker shut the door in the 9th to earn his first save of the spring.

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There were 9 combined runs scored in the first two innings of Thursday’s Cactus League matchup between the Mariners and the Cubs. The M’s led 6-3 after two, thanks to a two-run double by Stefen Romero, a double right after by Adam Lind and an error leading to more runs in the second.

Wade Miley got the start for the Mariners and went 3 innings. He struggled through the second inning, allowing a Jorge Soler home run and two two-out hits by Taylor Davis and Arismendy Alcantara. He allowed three runs on four hits in three innings, striking out just one. This was his second outing after two solid innings last week.

Despite the early lead, the Mariners fell behind late 8-7 in the 8th inning. A bases loaded walk and a two-run single later, the Mariners were back on top and held on to win 10-8. Jesus Montero came through with the big go-ahead hit. Those were Montero’s first two RBI of the spring.

Luis Sardinas, Stefen Romero, Adam Lind, Montero and Seth Smith all enjoyed multi-hit games. Romero led the charge with 3 RBI and Lind added two doubles.

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Manager Scott Servais continued to show he would be aggressive with baserunning, as the Mariners attempted three stolen bases. Boog Powell was the one success in the 8th.

Joaquin Benoit came in relief of Miley and pitched a scoreless fourth. He’s only allowed one hit in two innings of work so far.

Paul Fry struggled and yielded the Mariners lead to the Cubs in the 8th. When the Mariners got it back in the bottom half and won, Fry was credited with the victory. Blake Parker got the save with a perfect ninth while striking out two.

This was one of the wilder, sloppier games either team has had so far this spring. They combined for 18 runs, 24 hits, 5 errors and two pickoffs.

Next: Mariners Position Battle Update: First Base

Looking ahead, the Seattle Mariners (5-4) will travel to Scottsdale, AZ on Friday afternoon to play the San Francisco Giants (5-5). First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 pm PT. Hisashi Iwakuma (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will make his second start of the spring for Seattle, and Jeff Samardzija (0-0, 3.60 ERA) will be on the bump for San Fran. Tomorrow’s game will not be televised, but fans in the Pacific Northwest can listen to the action on 710 ESPN.