Ibanez's three-run shot headlines big first inning
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Mariners right fielder Raul Ibanez hit a three-run home run off former teammate Freddy Garcia in the first inning on Sunday as the Mariners rolled to an 8-3 victory over the Padres in Cactus League play.
Garcia, 36, is trying to win a rotation berth with the Padres as a non-roster invitee, but got off to a rough start in his first spring outing as the Mariners pieced together five straight hits to open the game, including Ibanez's long ball and doubles by Michael Morse and Michael Saunders.
Garcia, who made his Major League debut with the Mariners in 1999 when Ibanez was in his first stint with Seattle, gave up five runs (four earned) on five hits and also hit a batter as he needed 34 pitches to get through his one inning.
Ibanez, who also played with Garcia last year with the Yankees, went 2-for-3 as he notched his first hits since signing a one-year deal with Seattle as a free agent.
"With him, he throws so many different pitches and he's got a great forkball/split thing," said Ibanez of Garcia. "I thought he might throw it there, but he didn't, and I was able to get the fat part of the bat on it."
Third baseman Kyle Seager and second baseman Robert Andino also went 2-for-3 with a run scored for Seattle, which improved its Cactus League record to 2-1, all three games against the Padres.
Vinnie Catricala started at first base for the Mariners and was hit by pitches his first two at-bats and then laced an RBI double in the fifth inning.
Young right-hander Erasmo Ramirez made his first start of the spring for Seattle, throwing one inning of one-hit ball -- a single by Chase Headley in his first Cactus League at-bat -- as he threw 15 pitches.
Left-hander James Paxton, one of the Mariners' top prospects, also gave up a lone single in his one inning of work in the second. Closer Tom Wilhelmsen saw his first action, as well, with a hitless third in which he gave up a walk and struck out one while hitting 95-96 mph on the radar gun.
San Diego reliever Fautino De Los Santos, claimed off waivers earlier this month from the Brewers, struck out three and allowed one hit over two scoreless innings of relief. De Los Santos is trying to win a job in the Padres' bullpen, though that will be difficult with the returning personnel.
Center fielder Cameron Maybin, limited this week by a sore right wrist, drove in the Padres' first run with a single in the fourth off Charlie Furbush in his initial appearance of the spring. Second baseman Logan Forsythe, slowed by a sore knee, made his debut as well and went 0-for-3.
Right-hander Casey Kelly, one of the Padres' top prospects, gave up three runs and seven hits in 1 2/3 innings, including three doubles in the fifth when the Mariners broke things open.
Up next for Mariners: Veteran right-hander Jeremy Bonderman makes his Mariners debut against the Angels in a 12:05 p.m. PT contest in Peoria as he takes the mound for the first time since he was with the Tigers in 2010. Bonderman is coming back from shoulder and elbow surgeries, but has thrown well early in camp and is making a bid as a non-roster invitee. Young right-hander Brandon Maurer will make his first Cactus League appearance and Andrew Carraway is also in the group of pitchers to follow. The game is not available on radio or TV.