Olivo homers as M’s rough up Rangers’ Nathan

PEORIA, Ariz. – Joe Nathan’s first spring outing for the Texas Rangers was great. His second one not so much.

Nathan surrendered a three-run homer to Miguel Olivo in the sixth inning and the Rangers lost 6-4 to the Seattle Mariners on Monday.

Olivo, who brought a .154 batting average into the game, connected on a 1-1 pitch from Nathan to put the Mariners in front 4-2, and designated hitter Jesus Montero added a two-run double in the seventh inning.

Nathan, who signed with the Rangers during the winter and is expected to close this season, gave up two hits, walked two and struck out one while recording three outs. He worked a scoreless inning in his spring debut.

“Didn’t get it down,” Texas manager Ron Washington said of the pitch to Olivo. “Hung a slider to Olivo. Just had trouble commanding it down in the zone.”

Top prospect Vinnie Catricala homered in the third for Seattle. Montero is batting .389 this spring with three doubles and is tied for the team lead with eight RBIs.

Mariners starter Blake Beavan gave up three hits, struck out two and walked none in five innings.

“Always good to face one of the best teams in baseball, one of the best lineups in baseball,” the right-hander said. “It’s hard to say you enjoy pitching against a team like that, but (winning) makes you enjoy it more.”