Mariners Game Recap: M’s Walk-off White Sox in Peoria

Mar 16, 2016; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Leonys Martin (12) hits a 3 run home run in the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Leonys Martin (12) hits a 3 run home run in the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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5. 62. Final. 4. 128

Good Friday was very good to King Felix and the Seattle Mariners.

The Seattle Mariners (12-12-2) edged the Chicago White Sox (12-10-1) 5-4 on Friday afternoon in Peoria. The Mariners won in dramatic fashion as Leonys Martin walked off the White Sox with a solo home run in the 10th inning. Dan Altavilla (2-0, 0.00 ERA) picked up the win for Seattle, and Jacob Turner (0-3, 10.50 ERA) was credited with his third loss of the spring.

Felix Hernandez has been less than stellar thus far in spring training, but the King was in complete control throughout this afternoon’s game against the Pale Hose. Hernandez allowed 5 hits across 6 shutout innings while striking out 3 and walking none. His changeup was just average and his fastball velocity was down, but he did generate great movement on his curveball. Today was Felix’s longest outing of the spring, as he was able to last 6 innings and throw 80 pitches. King Felix appears to be more than ready for Opening Day.

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The M’s got the scoring started early, pushing across a pair of runs in the opening frame. Adam Lind plated the first run of the game on a deep sacrifice fly to right field, and Kyle Seager hustled home to score following a fielding error by Tyler Saldino at shortstop.

Justin De Fratus took over for Felix with the M’s holding a 2-0 lead in the 7th inning. The veteran right-hander allowed the Sox to load the bases, and Austin Jackson clobbered a hanging breaking ball deep to left field for a grand salami. It must have been a sweet feeling for the ex-Mariner to trot around the bases against his former club, even if it is just spring training. Blake Parker replaced De Fratus and recored the final out of the 7th, but the damage had already been done.

Parker stayed on the mound for the Mariners in the 8th, and managed to keep the White Sox off the scoreboard. Tony Zych was called on in the 9th, and the young right-hander delivered a scoreless frame to keep it a 2-run game.

Jose Quintana was very effective in shutting down the Mariners on Friday. Nori Aoki and Franklin Gutierrez were the only M’s able to tally hits against the 27-year-old through the first 6 innings. Nate Jones struck out the side in the 7th for Chicago, and Jacob Turner hurled a perfect 8th.

Turner returned to pitch the final frame for Chicago, and the hard throwing right-hander coughed up Chicago’s lead. Robinson Cano led off the inning with a ringing double to right field, and Nelson Cruz yanked a game-tying 2-run homer over the wall in left field.

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Dan Altavilla came on in the extra frame for the Mariners. The White Sox loaded the bases, but the 23-year-old right-hander managed to tip toe out of danger to keep it a tie game. Despite blowing the lead in the 9th, Jacob Turner was asked to work the 10th for Chicago. That decision proved to be a mistake, as Leonys Martin took him deep to right field for a game-winning solo home run. The round-tripper was Martin’s second of the spring.

Chris Iannetta has had a great spring at the plate for the Mariners, but his work behind it was even more impressive on Friday. Felix drove his curveball into the dirt numerous times, and Iannetta did a great job blocking the ball and preventing runners from advancing. The 33-year-old is expected to be the M’s everyday catcher in 2016, and hopefully his veteran presence will get the most of the pitching staff.

Next: RHP Donn Roach is having a Phenomenal Spring

Looking ahead, the Seattle Mariners (12-12-2) will welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers (10-10) to Peoria on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 pm from the Peoria Sports Complex. Wade Miley (0-1, 5.40 ERA) will make his 4th start of the spring for Seattle, and Scott Kazmir (0-1, 9.39 ERA) will get the ball for the Dodgers. Root Sports Northwest will carry tomorrow’s game live locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.