Marzano’s Stock Rises With Two-Hit, Four-Rbi Day In Mariners’ Win Over Brewers

Spring training

Seattle reserve catcher John Marzano, locked in a battle with left-handed hitting Brent Mayne to back up starter Dan Wilson, helped his cause Tuesday.

Marzano knocked in four runs while going 2 for 2, and sparked the Mariners to a come-from-behind, 7-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

“The last time I had four RBIs in a game was during the Reagan administration,” Marzano said. “I think Mayne and I both deserve to be in the majors, and whoever doesn’t win the job here may get a chance somewhere else.”

In the third inning, Brewers shortstop Mark Loretta lined a single off the left bicep of Randy Johnson - raising an immediate welt. Johnson stayed in the game, pitching two more innings, and gave up only one run in the five-inning start.

“I ran out there, but Randy just kind of pointed at his biceps and said ‘You can’t hurt these arms,”’ pitching coach Nardi Contreras said.

Along with sending Jose Cruz Jr. and Tim Davis to the minor leagues Tuesday and releasing right-hander Rusty Meacham, the Mariners released outfielder Lou Frazier from their minor-league camp.

Infielder Brent Gates, signed after Oakland released him, appears to have won the job of platooning at second base with Joey Cora.

Manager Lou Piniella was released from a Phoenix hospital and returned to his hotel room Tuesday morning following rectal surgery Monday afternoon. It has not been determined when he’ll return to camp.

Snow’s back in action

San Francisco’s J.T. Snow stepped into the batter’s box against live pitching for the first time since a March 11 beaning by Randy Johnson that left him with a fractured left eye socket.

The Giants first baseman, wearing clear plastic goggles for protection but otherwise showing no signs of the injury, had four hits in 11 at-bats in a simulated game at the team’s minor league camp in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Snow said he remains hopeful he can be in the lineup against Pittsburgh on April 1, and Giants officials did not rule it out.

Royals release Hamelin

Bob Hamelin, who hit 24 home runs in 1994 and was named A.L. rookie of the year, was released by the Kansas City Royals.

Hamelin, 29, never regained his stroke after the player strike interrupted his rookie season. The Royals were set at designated hitter with Chili Davis and Hamelin’s other position, first base, was held by Joe Vitiello and Jeff King.

Today is the last time teams can place players on waivers and not be responsible for the entire 1997 salary.

By releasing Hamelin now, the Royals must pay him $174,000 instead of the full $700,000 he had signed for.

Around the majors

Jeff Reboulet will start at second base for the Baltimore Orioles on opening day in place of the suspended Roberto Alomar, manager Davey Johnson announced. Reboulet, signed as a free agent during the off-season, came to the Orioles after spending the last four seasons with the Minnesota Twins… . The Anaheim Angels sent veteran outfielder Kevin Bass to their minor-league camp, a setback in his comeback attempt. Bass, 37, batted .176 with one home run and three runs batted in during eight spring games. He signed a minor-league contract with Anaheim on Feb. 4 after sitting out the 1996 season… . The Cincinnati Reds are planning to name the umpires room at Cinergy Field for the late John McSherry, who collapsed during the team’s home opener last season and later died. The team hasn’t set a date for a dedication ceremony.