Mariners Out-Slug Cubs 10-8
By Ben Renner
The Mariners hosted the Cubs yesterday in Peoria and won 10-8 on the strength of Stefen Romero and Adam Lind.
The Mariners beat the Cubs yesterday in Peoria 10-8. They jumped all over Cubs starter Jon Lester for seven hits and six runs in two innings during the veteran left-hander’s Spring Training debut. The Cubs were sloppy in the field, committing three errors in the second inning, but Lester also threw 50 pitches in those innings and allowed three doubles during his outing.
For the Mariners, Wade Miley allowed four hits and three runs, all in the second inning, including a home run by Jorge Soler. The game went back and forth for its entirety, until Jesus Montero knocked in his first two runs of the spring with a bases-loaded single. The Cubs fell to 1-8 in Spring Training.
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Stefen Romero went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. He continued his hot hitting of late and is making a case for a roster spot in the outfield. Adam Lind chipped in two doubles and looks healthy and ready to take over most of the Mariners’ first base duties.
My concern is Miley. Most expect him to be an innings-eater in the middle of the rotation for the Mariners this year, which is a little like casting him as a “game manager” quarterback. Miley will have to keep the ball in the park this year to be the mid-rotation linchpin the Mariners need him to be. He’s proven he can rack up innings, but if he keeps giving up home runs, what good are those innings going to be?
Next: Sounders vs. Real Salt Lake Preview
Hisashi Iwakuma will make his second start of Spring Training this afternoon against the Giants in Scottsdale. He didn’t allow a run in his first few innings of the spring and picked up a win when he last took the mound. The key for Kuma this spring is to break camp healthy and loose.