Mariners Double Their Losses, Double Our Sadness

The Mariners basically lived out the plot of “Looper” today, teleporting back and forth to play two games at the same time. Or however split-squad days work.

At Surprise Stadium, a Royals team featuring their mainstays, or whatever is left of them, struggled to get the M’s offense off the diamond in the first. The first six Mariner hitters reached base safely off of Wily Peralta. Andrew Romine, who’s having a fantastic Spring at the plate so far, started it off with a two-run homer. After batting around and scoring a total six runs on four hits, two errors, and one walk, the M’s were finally retired.

Andrew Moore took the mound for the Mariners in that game. Moore joined his counterpart Peralta in struggling early, giving up two runs on three hits and one walk in the first inning. He went on to surrender a solo home run to Ryan O’Hearn in the second, followed up by two straight triples. Jorge Soler also took Moore deep and the Oregon State alum was consequently pulled.

For Moore, six earned runs allowed on seven hits in just 1.1 innings pitched. It wasn’t a very inspiring performance from the pitcher who may be Erasmo Ramirez’s replacement while the latter is on the mend. He was bad today.

Daniel Vogelbach returned from his foot injury to DH. He walked twice and scored on a Taylor Motter double.

Back home in Peoria, it was all about the 2018 debut of James ‘Big Maple’ Paxton against the Padres. The Canadian had to work for his outs today, going deep into counts. Freddy Galvis notched a double off Paxton, but that was the only damage done. A final tally of one hit and one walk allowed in two solid innings of work.

The stars were out for the Mariners in this game, as two-thirds of the projected Opening Day lineup started. Jean Segura had a really good day in the box. The shortstop gathered three RBIs on a two-run homer in the first and an RBI double in the third. Robinson Cano walked twice, but he and Nelson Cruz are still looking for their first hits of 2018.

Marc Rzepczynski saw his first action of the Cactus League and struck out two Padres, including Manuel Margot. Michael Koval, who spent 2017 in A-Clinton, deserves a mention for impressively striking out Freddy Galvis and Eric Hosmer. Koval’s fastball reached the mid-to-high 90s on the gun.

James Pazos floundered in his appearance, giving up a two-run home run and throwing three wild pitches. Pazos wrapped up with three earned runs allowed on two hits and two walks.

Ian Miller earned himself his first RBI of the Cactus League, singling home Mike Ford. In the eighth, the Mariners added two more runs but unfortunately fell short, losing 11-6.

As for the Royals matchup, the Mariners’ Minor Leaguers were simply bullied by a Major League-caliber lineup.

Gordon Beckham added a solo home run to the box score and Anthony Misiewicz pitched a three-strikeout performance. Joe Rizzo and Chuck Taylor also logged in RBIs toward the end of the game. The Mariners, however, lost 14-9. They are now 2-3-1 in Cactus League play.

Next: Spring Training 1B Battle Brewing?

Ariel Miranda makes his second start for the M’s against the Cleveland Indians tomorrow. A live audio broadcast of the game will air on MLB.com at 12:05 PM PT.