Against one of the more hyped starting pitchers in the American League, Seattle put up six runs against Kansas City's Zach Greinke.Led by rookie right fielder Mike Wilson's two home run, four RBI night, the Mariners beat the Royals 9-3.
Jarrod Washburn improved to 2-2 for the spring pitching another strong outing. Two mistake pitches, one in the third and one in the fourth led to two of the three Kansas City runs off long balls. Washburn did strike out five, while only walking one.
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Shortstop Yuneski Betancourt also homered and tripled in the game to improve his spring batting average to .421.
David Aardsma struck out the side in the eighth after giving up a hit to keep his name in the closer conversation. Randy Messenger, another candidate walked one in his one inning of work.
WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC UPDATES:
To close out their pool Venezuela beat USA 10-6
Mariners left fielder Endy Chavez started the game but was hit less in five at bats.
Second baseman Jose Lopez, hitting third, went 2-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.
In a re-match of the 2006 WBC Finals Japan beat Cuba with the help of Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki and catcher Kenji Johjima.
Ichiro went 2-for-5 with a single and triple after starting round 2 of the WBC in an 0-12 slump. He also recorded the final out.
Although Johjima was hitless, his effort behind the plate and his attitude carried Team Japan to victory.
After an incident in yesterday's game against Korea when Johjima left his bat at the plate after a controversial called strike three Johjima was ejected by the home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt.
Johjima apologized for the mis-communication and called another excellent game against the favorite to win the World Baseball Classic, Cuban team.
The catcher discussion could be headed Johjima's way due to Jeff Clement's apalling six hits in 26 at bats this spring. Clement has only one extra base hit and just one RBI.
The Mariners also released their 2009 Commercials. Click here to see them.
Reach Josh Stilts at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
