Mariners Beat Giants with Big Inning

The Mariners pulled out the proverbial “big inning” with six runs in the third to beat the Giants 9-6 at Peoria Stadium.

The Mariners out-hit the Giants 9-6 yesterday, pulling out six runs in the third inning, which included a three-run home run by new center fielder Leonys Martin. Luis Sardinas also got in on the home run derby against Giants starter Jeff Samardzija with a two-run shot in the third.

Samardzija signed with San Francisco after an awful year with the White Sox on a five-year, $90 million deal. He had a severe case of gopheritis last year but he’ll likely fare better against National League hitters. He pitched two perfect frames before allowing six runs on six hits in the third inning.

I know it’s the Cactus League and fly balls get over the fence easier in Arizona than they do in Seattle and most major league parks the Mariners will be playing in this year, but Sardinas and Martin going yard is a good sign. Shortstop Shawn O’Malley also blasted a solo home run of his own in yesterday’s game. Sardinas and Martin aren’t known for their hitting, much less their power hitting, so it’s good to see Edgar Martinez telling these guys to be aggressive with their swings when they take the bat off their shoulders.