Mariners defeat Rangers 11-10 in back-and-forth high scoring Spring Training Game

This game between the Mariners and the Rangers consisted of many pitches and runs, lasting a little over 3 hours, the longest game in Spring Training to date.

In the Mariners’ starting lineup were six players from the Tacoma Rainiers: Kole Calhoun, Jacob Nottingham, Leo Martin, Colin Moran, Mason McCoy, and Kean Wong. Two Mariners who are back after injury (Tom Murphy and Evan White), joined one new player, Cooper Hummel, formerly of the Diamondbacks.

In the top of the first inning with Luis Castillo pitching, Rangers Josh H. Smith got a base hit followed by a two-run home run from Nathaniel Lowe. The Rangers’ pitcher, Andrew Heaney, struck out three Mariners.  The Mariners did not score. At the end of the first, the score was 2-0, Rangers. The second inning was unremarkable and the score remained the same.

Kean Wong and Kole Calhoun got on base in the bottom of the third inning. Cooper Hummel hit a double, allowing Wong to score. Although Evan White got out at first, Kole Calhoun scored. At the end of the third inning, the score was tied at 2 apiece.

Chris Clarke replaced Luis Castillo after the first out of the fourth. (The fourth inning was briefly interrupted by the announcement that Harry Ford of the Rainiers hit a three-run home run for Great Britain at the World Baseball Classic! Congratulations!)  Several Rangers were on base, and Brad Miller scored for the Rangers to move ahead, 3-2.

In the fifth inning, Clarke continued pitching. The Rangers’ Bubba Thompson had a base hit, then stole second. Josh H. Smith hit a double and allowed Thompson to make it home. The score was 4-2, Rangers. J.B. Bukauskas replaced Clarke. Adolis Garcia hit and got on base. Smith scored. Now the score was 5-2, Rangers. Brad Miller walked. Later, Duran doubled and two Rangers scored. The score was 7-2, Rangers. Church replaced Heaney for Texas.

In the top of the sixth, Taylor Williams pitched for the Mariners. Josh H. Smith scored to make it 8-2. The Mariners were down by six. Otto pitched for Texas. Kirwer got on base. Jake Scheiner hit a two-run homerun. The gap lessened to 8-4. Polcavich scored on a double by Zach DeLoach. The score was then 8-5. O’Keefe hit a double and DeLoach scored. The score was 8-6, Rangers. Arturo Guerrero hit a single that allowed O’Keefe to score. Only one point down. Kirwer hit to the outfield and Ford scored, tying the game. 8-8

In the top of the 7th inning, Brendan Bernardino began pitching for the Mariners. He struck out three Rangers and left one on base. Lee began pitching for Texas. Rivas made it to first base. Packard made a base hit so there were runners on first and second. A wild pitch moved each runner one base ahead. Brian O’Keefe hit a homerun to make the score 11-8, Mariners. Hernandez came in to pitch for Rangers.

In the 8th inning, Bernardino struck two Rangers out. The Rangers hit a two-run homerun, however, making the score, 11-10. Devin Sweet replaced Bernardino. In the ninth, Sweet struck out the batter for the final out, The Mariners won: 11-10!

Interestingly, the nine players who started the game did not bat as well as the nine who replaced them, with only two exceptions. In addition, the Rangers played much of the game with several of their regular starters whereas the Mariners had perhaps two of their regular starters.

Brad Adams and Bill Krueger did some interviews during the game. They interviewed former pitcher, Casey Sadler, who is still not ready to come back and says that he missed baseball very much and is excited to be back. He will be back when his body is ready.

They interviewed Tom Murphy who says that he encourages pitchers every chance he can because the game can be so tough on pitchers, mentally. They interviewed someone from the Mariners front office who said that the Wednesday before Opening Night, there will be some fun events at the ballpark, starting at 3 PM, like a home run derby and a few other activities. Check that out! Tickets cost $10 per person.