Wells launches two-run homer vs. Padres

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Rookie second baseman Jedd Gyorko launched a grand slam in the first inning Friday as the Padres jumped on Mariners starter Hector Noesi and rolled to a 9-3 victory in the annual Charity Game at Peoria Stadium.

Noesi lasted just two-thirds of an inning in the Cactus League opener as the Padres touched him for six runs (four earned) on four hits, four walks and an error. Noesi, who went 2-12 with a 5.82 ERA last year, threw 42 pitches before giving way early to Oliver Perez.

"We got a lot of guys in there today, and for the most part, they threw the ball well," said Mariners manager Eric Wedge. "Hector struggled a little early on and was up a little bit, but we got a lot of guys in there for the first time, so that was good for them. It was nice to get that first one going."

Gyorko, competing with Logan Forsythe for a starting job this spring, drove a Noesi fastball over the left-field fence to get the Padres off to a quick start. The 24-year-old hit 30 home runs last year while splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A.

Padres starter Sean O'Sullivan threw two scoreless innings and picked up the win. The right-hander, a non-roster invitee trying to earn a rotation berth, struck out one and allowed only one base runner on a hit batter while tossing just 26 pitches.

San Diego right fielder Chris Denorfia went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Perez inherited a bases-loaded jam from Noesi, but he ended the threat with a ground out and wound up throwing 1 1/3 innings with no hits and one walk. The rest of the Mariners' pitchers each threw one inning apiece.

Seattle finally got on the board in the sixth when Francisco Martinez doubled and eventually scored on a wild pitch to cut the lead to 6-1 after manager Eric Wedge had replaced all his starters except right fielder Michael Morse.

Morse finished 1-for-3, while catcher Jesus Montero was the only other Mariners starter with a hit as he singled and was hit by a pitch in two-at-bats. Casper Wells hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to round out the game's scoring.

Up next: The two clubs will meet up again on Saturday at 12:05 p.m. PT in the second of three straight games between the two Peoria Sports Complex partners.

The Padres will get their first look at right-hander Tyson Ross, who was obtained in November from the A's and is one of several candidates looking to win a job in the rotation. San Diego has liked what it has seen early in camp from Ross, and he'll likely pitch two innings. Non-roster invitee Wilfredo Boscan, who was acquired from the Rangers in December, is scheduled to go two innings. Boscan.

Right-hander Blake Beavan makes the start for Seattle and is eager to test out a new pitching motion he's been working on to get more of a downward angle. Beavan will throw just one inning, and he will be followed by eight other hurlers, including top prospects Taijuan Walker and Danny Hultzen, as well as veteran reliever Kameron Loe, who has pitched at least 70 innings the past two seasons for Milwaukee.