Cano enjoys successful debut vs. Padres
Second baseman singles, walks, scores in annual charity game
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Robinson Cano ripped a single on the first pitch he saw in a Mariners uniform on Thursday as Seattle opened Cactus League play with a 7-1 victory over the Padres in the annual spring charity game at Peoria Stadium.
Cano played just the first three innings in his first game since signing his 10-year, $240 million deal, but wasted no time contributing with a single, walk and run scored.
"It's the first Spring Training game," Cano said. "I didn't want to just go up there and take a pitch. You want to see how you feel."
Padres starter Eric Stults gave up three runs on three hits in two innings, including a run-scoring double by Justin Smoak in the first that plated Cano.
Donn Roach pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Stults as the right-hander allowed just a single and a walk. Roach, 24, pitched at Double-A San Antonio last year and is in his first Major League camp.
Mariners starter Erasmo Ramirez hurled two shutout frames, giving up two singles with no walks and a strikeout on 29 pitches. Blake Beavan followed with two more scoreless innings on just a single and walk.
Logan Morrison, playing his first game since being acquired by trade from the Marlins, went 2-for-2 with an RBI on a sacrifice fly in his Mariners debut at designated hitter.
The Mariners doubled their lead to 6-0 in the sixth inning, though just one of the three runs was earned. Padres lefty Patrick Schuster surrendered four hits in that frame, including RBI singles by outfielder Xavier Avery and catcher Humberto Quintero.
The Padres broke through in the eighth inning following Rico Noel's leadoff double. After moving to third on Reymond Fuentes' groundout, Noel crossed on Cory Spangenberg's grounder to short.
Up next for Mariners: Right fielder Corey Hart will make his debut on Friday as the Mariners take on the Padres for a second straight day in a 12:05 p.m. PT game at Peoria Stadium. Hart signed a one-year deal as a free agent and figures to be a key figure in Seattle's plans as he returns from a year-long absence following two knee surgeries. Young southpaw James Paxton starts on the mound, with Matt Palmer, Nick Hill, Zach Miner, Carson Smith, Charlie Furbush and Dominic Leone also slated to throw.