Mariners tie Rockies in final Spring Training game

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Other than avoiding an injury, the only thing that mattered, really, to the Mariners in their spring finale Saturday was whether Yovani Gallardo and Ariel Miranda could deliver encouraging outings.

Check and check. (And no injuries, either.)

The footnote is the Mariners held on for a 1-1 tie against Colorado when when center fielder Austin Grebeck made a diving two-out catch with a runner at third base in the ninth inning.

Grebeck, 22, was the Mariners’ 21st-round pick in last year’s draft and is likely to open the season in extended spring training before joining a short-season club in June.

“I was really happy with the way Gallardo threw,” manager Scott Servais said. “We talked about him going out and using all of his pitches. He did that today. Miranda had much better rhythm, better tempo. Just get it and go.”

Gallardo finished his spring with three scoreless innings. His next outing with be April 7 against the Angels in the start to a three-game series at Anaheim.

Neither club scored until Nolan Arenado pulled a one-out homer in the fourth inning against Miranda. The big fly caromed off the roof of the Mariners’ bullpen in the left-field corner.

That was Colorado’s only run. Miranda gave up only two other hits in five innings while striking out five and walking one. He will start Thursday in place of injured Drew Smyly against the Astros.

The Mariners pulled even on Kyle Petty’s RBI single in the seventh inning. That’s how it ended, thanks to Grebeck’s catch.

The Mariners concluded their spring with three straight ties for a 19-14-3 record. Now it’s on to Houston, where they open the regular season Monday with the start of a four-game series against the Astros at Minute Maid Park.

“I wouldn’t give it an A-plus,” Servais said, “but overall, outside side of the (Drew) Smyly issue, everybody got through here healthy. I like the look of our bullpen.

“Our starting rotation will be fine, and I’ve liked our offense from day one.”