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Mariners Edge Out Reds 7-6: Five Homers Hit, Game Notes and Scouting Takeaways

By Joe Piazza

Mar 12, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager (15) hits a single in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels during a spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager (15) hits a single in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels during a spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /
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Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

The best team in the Cactus League kept it rolling on Sunday, as the Mariners took down the Reds 7-6 at Goodyear Ballpark.

This is the fourth of a six-part scouting series. After this Mariners/Reds game, I will be wrapping up this series with coverage of the following games: COL@TEX (3/27) and LAD@SEA (3/29). You can find my recap and scouting report of Thursday’s Dodgers/Rangers game here, Friday’s Athletics/White Sox game here, and Saturday’s White Sox/Indians game here. Follow me on Twitter @JoePiazza_ for live game updates! 

Some high-scoring games are fast-paced, but this one was not. Rather, Sunday was a busy day at Goodyear Ballpark for the bullpens. The Mariners and Reds used 11 different relievers in the game, surrendering a total of 18 hits and nine walks. This didn’t take away much from the action though, as the lead changed five times in Sunday’s contest.

Cincinnati took the initial lead of the game, with Jose Peraza hitting a laser beam to left field for a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first. From there, the runs just kept on coming. The third, sixth and seventh innings were the only scoreless moments of the day. The Reds scored in five separate innings, and the Mariners in four. In addition to Peraza, Desmond Jennings, pitcher Rookie Davis and Chad Wallach went deep for Cincinnati. Shortstop Taylor Motter hit a two-run shot for the Mariners, and was really their top offensive performer. Danny Valencia nearly had himself a home run, but left fielder Adam Duvall had other ideas.

This game could have had a completely different outcome if not for the defensive miscues of the Reds’ third baseman. Career AAA infielder Hernan Iribarren committed two throwing errors on Sunday, both of which led to unearned runs scoring for Seattle. Luckily for starter Rookie Davis, the Reds will be deploying the slick-fielding Eugenio Suarez at the hot corner during the regular season.

The Mariners scored two runs in the eighth to regain the lead 7-5, and handed James Pazos closer’s duties in the ninth. Chad Wallach made things interesting in the ninth, hitting a solo shot to narrow Seattle’s lead to 7-6. Pazos recovered smoothly to finish the inning without any more damage, and the ballgame was over. Mariners 7, Reds 6.

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