Arenado continues power surge in loss to M's
Prospect making strong case for starting third-base job
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Led by Casper Wells' five-RBI day, the Mariners extended their franchise-best Spring Training winning streak to 10 by hammering the Rockies on Monday, 16-6, in front of 4,851 fans at Peoria Sports Complex.
Seattle also launched two home runs off Colorado pitching to up its Cactus League total to 24 in just 11 games.
"We've got some proven veteran big league hitters in here and they've made a big difference, but we've also got some young guys that have continued on the path and swung the bat well," Mariners manager Eric Wedge said.
The Rockies also smacked two long balls, theirs coming off the bats of Kent Matthes and Nolan Arenado, who hit his third in as many days and fourth of the spring.
Staring for the Mariners, Jon Garland threw two scoreless frames while Colorado's starter, Juan Nicasio, allowed three earned runs over his three innings of work.
Seattle took the lead in the bottom of the first inning when Wells drove home Kyle Seager. Raul Ibanez extended the Mariners' lead two frames later when he drove a ball into the grass in right field for a solo shot. Seager delivered the other long ball of the day, a three-run shot in the fifth.
"I wasn't sharp. I threw a lot of balls. That's what happens when you get behind hitters," Nicasio said. "Last time, I threw for strikes. But today it changed. A couple changeups up in the zone, a hanging breaking ball."
Up next: The Rockies host the Cubs in a 1:10 p.m. MT game Tuesday at Salt River Fields. Jeff Francis, who is having a stellar spring, holding opponents scoreless in two appearances, tallying five innings with five hits allowed and no walks will start on the mound.