Mariners regulars end Cactus League play with an 8-4 win

The Mariners’ regulars completed their Cactus League season in Peoria Wednesday night with an 8-4 win over the San Francisco Giants.

Seattle would blow the game open in the seventh inning, scoring four runs that would ultimately be more than enough to secure a victory.

Marco Gonzales took the mound one last time this preseason but struggled. Gonzales, who was exceptional in his first two starts of the spring (7 IP, 4H, 1ER), struggled in his final two starts, allowing 13 earned runs over his last 6.1 innings of work.

Tonight, Gonzales allowed four earned runs on five hits, lasting just 2.2 innings.

The Mariners provided plenty of run support, however. Ryon Healy, Seattle’s primary first baseman last season, cranked a two-run home run to left-center field that gave the Mariners a 2-1 lead in the second inning.

Following the hand injury of third baseman Kyle Seager—which will keep him out for at least the month of April—Seattle manager Scott Servais announced that Healy will take over at the hot corner.

And Healy is heating up at just the right time. Over the last three games, Healy is 4-8 with two HRs and four RBIs.

The Giants would score three runs in the third inning, but Seattle’s bullpen silenced hitters for the remainder of the evening. From then on, the Mariners would go on to score six unanswered runs — one in each of the fourth and fifth innings, and four in the seventh — to cap off an 8-4 victory.

Braden Bishop, who will make the trip to Japan with the Mariners, doubled in two runs in the seventh that blew the game open. Other young, promising prospects that played in tonight’s game include Julio Rodriguez and Jarred Kelenic, who combined for two hits and a walk.

Following the win, the Mariners will head to Tokyo, Japan in preparation for MLB’s Opening Series, featuring a two-game set against the Oakland Athletics.

During their time in Japan, the Mariners will also field a squad of minor league players for three Cactus League games against the Cubs, Reds, and Angels. Mallex Smith will likely appear in these games as he works his way back from an elbow injury.

After opening up the regular season in Japan, Seattle will head home in time for the Mariners FanFest, which will take place over the weekend of March 23-24. The following Monday and Tuesday will include two exhibition games against the Padres before their home opener on Thursday, March 28.