The Mariners got home runs from Jesus Montero, Michael Saunders, Carlos Peguero, Luis Rodriguez and Johermyn Chavez today in Cactus League action and held on to beat the Oakland Athletics 8-5, in Phoenix, Arizona. Montero, Saunders and Peguero each hit two-run homers and Luis Rodriguez and Johermyn Chavez added solo shots. The Mariners gave up one run in the first inning, then jumped ahead to a 7-1 lead by the fifth.
In that inning, Seattle had a slight scare, when Jesus Montero left the game after getting hit by two foul balls in a row, behind the plate.
"He's OK," Seattle manager Eric Wedge said. "He got hit in the jaw a couple of times. I don't know that I've ever seen that happen two times in a row like that. The first one got him pretty good but obviously the second one right on top of that, so we got him out of there."
Starter Blake Beavan went 2.1 innings, giving up four hits and one earned run while striking out one and walking one. Beavan got the win and Oakland's Graham Godfrey took the loss, giving up two earned runs - a Michael Saunders homer- while striking out four and walking one.
Hopefully this is a sign of things to come for the Mariners' offense. Boxscore here for your perusing pleasure.