Hernandez allowed one run in 3.2 innings as the Mariners went on to blow out a split-squad Cubs team.

As another major-league baseball season draws near, it is past time for Seattle Mariners fans and readers to face some unpleasant facts.

A 91-mph fastball from lefty Brandon Mann, a former Mount Rainier standout, struck Ichiro in the back of the helmet, but Ichiro was able to joke about it in the clubhouse with teammates.

Mariners first baseman Daniel Vogelbach hit his sixth homer of the spring and improved his average to .388.

The Mariners got their first walk-off win of the spring when Mike Ford’s two-out double on a 2-2 pitch scored Gordon Beckham from first to give Seattle a 5-4 victory over the Rangers Thursday in Peoria, Arizona.

Mariners reliever David Phelps will miss this season after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm. Phelps was injured on the final pitch of his previous outing on March 17 against the Angels. The right-hander will have Tommy John surgery to repair his elbow, though a surgery date has not been set. The typical recovery time for that operation is 12 to 15 months.

Yan Gomes hit a grand slam and drove in five runs and the Cleveland Indians defeated the Seattle Mariners 16-3 Sunday in Peoria, Arizona.

Zach Vincej hit a three-run triple in the ninth inning, and the Mariners won a split-squad game against the Athletics 4-1 in Mesa, Arizona.

Daniel Vogelbach homered, doubled and drove in three runs, and the Seattle Mariners defeated the Texas Rangers 9-7 Friday in Surprise, Arizona.

Ichiro played in the field in the top of the first, but was pinch hit for in the bottom of the first.

Tony Cruz belted a three-run ninth-inning homer, and the Cincinnati Reds used a four-run rally to defeat the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.