Two games into the spring, the Mariners partook in a “Cactus League Special” with the visiting Cubs in a game where runs were frequent, hits were aplenty and mistakes were common. The two teams combined for 28 runs on 30 hits with 18 pitchers used in the 3-hour, 45-minute marathon.
Perhaps it was a sign of things to come when Mariners starter Marco Gonzales couldn’t get out of the first inning, giving up five runs on two hits with three walks and a strikeout. Gonzales served up a three-run homer to Josh Phegley.
“You go out in that first one and you just want to feel good and throw some strikes,” Gonzales said. “My timing was a little off and I’m frustrated by my execution. But the first time out, I wanted to feel good and have the ball feel good coming out of my hand. The results are what they are this time of the year.”
On a day where scoreless innings weren’t common, right-handers Gerson Bautista and Sam Delaplane both delivered frames without allowing a run to score.
Player of the game
Vying for one of the final spots on the opening-day roster, utility player Tim Lopes got the start at second base and had a monster day at the plate, going 3 for 3 with a pair of run-scoring singles and a two-run double. Lopes’ competition for that utility spot — Dylan Moore — hit a two-run homer.
Quotable
“A lot of baseball today. Certainly a great day to play and a great day to hit. We saw it play out that way today. Marco, first time out, obviously not sharp command-wise. He had a hard time landing his secondary pitches. He got a couple balls up in the air and they took off on him.” — Seattle manager Scott Servais.
On tap
The Mariners make their first road trip on their Cactus League schedule, traveling to nearby Maryvale, Ariz., to face the Milwaukee Brewers. Right-hander Kendall Graveman will make the start with left-hander Justus Sheffield scheduled to piggyback off him. Also scheduled to pitch for Seattle: right-handers Zach Grotz, Joey Gerber, Wyatt Mills and Jack Anderson. Milwaukee will start right-hander Wily Peralta. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. PST. The game will be broadcast live on mariners.com and a delayed broadcast on ESPN 710-AM.
Ryan Divish: 206-464-2373 or rdivish@seattletimes.com;on Twitter: @RyanDivish.Ryan Divish covers the Mariners in Seattle and on the road. Look for his 'Extra Innings' podcast and weekly Sunday mailbag during the season.
The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only, and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.