Brash & Kirby Combine for 12 Strikeouts as Mariners Top Athletics 7–1

MESA, Ariz. — The Mariners continued Cactus League play today with a 7–1 victory over the Oakland Athletics at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, AZ. Right-hander Matt Brash made his first Cactus League start and was electric, striking out 6 of 10 batters faced over 3.0 shutout innings. In two appearances this spring, Brash is 1–0 with a 0.00 ERA (0 ER, 5.0 IP) with 7 strikeouts.

The Mariners came out swinging on the offensive side, tallying 4 hits in the first inning. Adam Frazier doubled to leadoff the game, and eventually scored on a double by Mitch Haniger to get the Mariners on the board. Eugenio Suárez followed Haniger and put an exclamation point on the 3-run first inning with a 2-run blast…