M’S Extend Piniella’s Contract

The Seattle Mariners showed their appreciation to Lou Piniella on Tuesday, rewarding him with a new contract.

Piniella, 52, last season’s A.L. manager of the year, was given a four-year contract extension through the 2000 season. Terms weren’t announced.

The Mariners said they wanted to send a message of stability to the city of Seattle. The team is scheduled to play in a new $320 million outdoor stadium in Seattle in 1999.

Mariners 15, Padres 8

At Peoria, Ariz., Ken Griffey Jr. hit his first home run of the spring and Seattle had 20 hits in a 15-8 victory over the San Diego Padres.

Russ Davis and Joey Cora also had home runs for the Mariners, who beat the Padres for the 16th time in 17 games.

Davis, Seattle’s new starting third baseman in place of the traded Mike Blowers, went 3 for 3 and Griffey also had a triple. Piniella liked Davis’ day the best because the former New York Yankees bench player is getting his first chance to start in Seattle.

“Davis has got some power,” Piniella said. “He’s got some carry on the ball. He’s going to be a fine young player for us this year.”

The Mariners battered right-hander Alan Ashby, a 12-game winner last season who is projected as the Padres’ No. 1 pitcher in 1996, for six runs on six hits in the second inning, when they sent 11 hitters to the plate.

Rizzuto to return to booth

In his farewell address to broadcasting last summer, Phil Rizzuto said he had called his final Yankee game. But persuaded by fans and flexibility by WPIX-TV/Channel 11 in New York, the Scooter will be back to call 31 of the station’s 50 games.

After months of talks, Rizzuto, 78, agreed to a schedule of 23 home games and a eight road games in Toronto, Boston, Cleveland and Baltimore.

Rizzuto’s agent Brandon Steiner said the former Yankees shortstop had begun to miss baseball, saw spring training start and was stunned by fan response to his retirement.

Dave Winfield also announced that he will become a studio analyst in Fox’s first season of baseball coverage, beginning June 1.

Winfield, a veteran of 23 major-league seasons and most likely destined for the Hall of Fame, was the first announcer hired for Fox’s pregame show.

Clearing the bases

Mark McGwire, one of baseball’s most powerful and injury-prone players, hurt his right foot while running the bases and will fly back to Oakland for an examination. … The Montreal Expos agreed to a five-year deal that will pay outfielder Rondell White $10.3 million. The only other of contract of that length for a Montreal player was the five-year deal with catcher Gary Carter in 1978. … Boston Red Sox waived second baseman Luis Alicea, saving themselves more than $1 million and giving him a chance to find work with another club.