Veteran Millwood adapts with Mariners

PEORIA, Ariz. – Kevin Millwood said he’s had no choice but to adapt to the inevitable march of time.

“When I was younger, I was like all these other young kids, throwing low-to mid-90s,” said Millwood, a 37-year-old veteran of 14 major league seasons. “But now for me it’s more about moving the ball around and changing speeds and hitting my spots.”

Mariners manager Eric Wedge, though, says he still sees much the same pitcher he managed in 2005, when Millwood led the American League with a 2.86 earned-run average for Cleveland.

Millwood displayed that ability again Wednesday when he coaxed two double-play grounders out of the Royals to end scoring threats, pitching four scoreless innings to beat Kansas City 6-2.

Mariners lose

Brandon Crawford hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning to help the San Francisco Giants defeat the Seattle Mariners 7-5 at Peoria.