The Mariners lost their Cactus League opener to the San Francisco Giants Wednesday afternoon 8-7 in 10 innings. The M’s put staggering right-hander Doug Fister to start against the Giants’ ace and two-time Cy Young winner, Tim Lincecum.
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Each starter got off to rough starts, both allowing three runs in the first inning. Lincecum was scheduled to throw two innings, but was restricted to only one throwing 29 pitches, allowing one hit from Ichiro, two successive walks before giving up a sacrifice fly to Ken Griffey, Jr.
Fister bounced back on the mound in the second inning striking out the side, finishing with 2.0 innings pitched giving up 3 runs off of 3 hits including a home run, with 5 total strikeouts.
Shining Mariners at the plate included Jose Lopez and newcomer Casey Kotchman, both of whom hit for RBI singles in the first inning off of Lincecum. Potential roster players, OF Michael Saunders and 3B Matt Tuiasosopo both had notable doubles in their attempted comeback late in the game.
DH Ken Griffey Jr. had only two at-bats, the first was an aforementioned sacrifice fly in the first inning, which was reportedly a “very good-looking sac fly,” preceding a walk in his second AB. Junior is in great shape, lost about 7 pounds, and has yet to show any weakness in his injury-prone knees. Hopefully he can maintain himself and remain healthy moving forward to the regular season.
After a 2 run ninth-inning rally to send the game into extra innings, minor-league pitcher Kenn Kesparek earned the loss for the M’s, after giving up a bases-loaded walk in the tenth. The Mariners have their second game of the Cactus League, hosting a charity game against the San Diego Padres Thursday afternoon in Peoria.
Reach Jacob Kehle at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
