Cruz, Ruiz pace Mariners; Miranda goes three

PEORIA -- Nelson Cruz doubled and scored a run and veteran catcher Carlos Ruiz chipped in a pair of hits and an RBI as the Mariners topped the Brewers, 6-2, on Thursday in Cactus League play at Peoria Stadium.
Veteran right-hander Matt Garza threw a scoreless first inning while allowing one base hit in his spring debut for the Brewers.
"I still get butterflies," said Garza, who went 6-8 with a 4.51 ERA in 19 starts for Milwaukee last season. "But it felt good to be out there practically with a new body and have my stuff kind of where it should be right now. I'm not trying to find anything anymore. I'm just trying to ride the wave of where I was at the end of last year. It felt good."
Mariners southpaw Ariel Miranda allowed one run and three hits over three innings in his second start of the spring. The 28-year-old appears a longshot to make the rotation unless someone gets hurt but is open to a bullpen role or whatever is needed.
"My goal is to be in the Major Leagues, doing the job," Miranda said through interpreter Fernando Alcala.
Miranda's only run allowed came after he walked Scooter Gennett then gave up a double to Ivan De Jesus Jr., on a ball left fielder Tyler O'Neill lost in the sun in the second. Brett Phillips drove in Gennett with a sacrifice fly.
Cruz, playing right field for the first time this spring, doubled in the fourth and scored on Ruiz's second base hit. Cruz, who will play primarily designated hitter this year, is 5-for-8 with two doubles and two homers in four games.
Brewers Up Next: The Brewers play the Angels on Friday at Tempe Diablo Stadium in a 2:10 p.m. CT start, live on MLB.TV. Right-hander Junior Guerra is slated to go for the Brewers against righty Matthew Shoemaker for the Halos.
Mariners Up Next:Hisashi Iwakuma makes his first spring start in Friday's 12:10 p.m. PT game against the Rangers at Surprise in a contest that will be available on Gameday Audio. Marc Rzepczynski, Nick Vincent and Dan Altavilla are among those scheduled to pitch in relief.
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