After dropping both split-squad games yesterday, the Mariners rebounded today behind some strong pitching and an offensive outburst from Spring Training stalwarts Shed Long, Kyle Lewis, and Tim Lopes, as well as some contributions from less-Spring Training stalwarts Mallex Smith and Dee Gordon. But the story of today was the pitching, as the Mariners staff struck out 11, just enough to counterbalance the 10 strikeouts posted by their offense. Somewhere pitching coach Rob Marcello Jr., chief conductor on the Ticket-Punching Express, is very happy.
Yusei Kikuchi showed some sharper command than his first outing while maintaining his velocity, at one point touching 96.