Segui Stars In Mariners’ Win Over A’S
David Segui hit a two-run homer and Shane Monahan had three hits as the Seattle Mariners defeated the Oakland Athletics 4-2 Thursday.
Segui homered off A’s reliever Dave Telgheder (1-1) in the top of the fourth to give the Mariners a 3-1 lead en route to their fourth straight exhibition win.
Edgar Martinez doubled to score Monahan and scored on Segui’s homer.
The A’s lost their first home game of the spring. They have dropped three of four after winning their first four games.
Seattle starter Paul Spoljaric (1-0) allowed one run and two hits and struck out three in four innings.
A’s starter Dave Rigby faced the minimum through three and struck out five in 3-2/3 innings.
The A’s (5-3) scored in the second when Shane Mack singled, went to second on a wild pitch, stole third and scored on Scott Spiezio’s single.
Hill leaves his heart in S.F.
Glenallen Hill flashed a friendly smile when he stepped out of the Seattle Mariners’ clubhouse at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. He didn’t say much, and it wasn’t necessary.
The smile masked his disappointment over being rejected by the Giants, who added insult to injury recently by suggesting that a power-hitting outfielder would be a nice addition.
Hill, 32, was under the impression he fit that description. Three years with the Giants produced an average of 18 home runs and 72 RBIs in 119 games.
“It’s baffling,” said Hill, who was hitless against the A’s on Thursday. “I thought I’d be back. I love the Giants. They’re my family. Dusty (Baker) is my friend for life.
“They didn’t even try to re-sign me. There were no conversations with my agent. I was No. 3 in the National League in pinch hitting (9 for 25, .360). They knew what I could do.”
They also probably wouldn’t have won a division championship without him. Although it was a difficult season overall, Hill batted .312 over his final 60 games.
Two factors contributed to his departure. Right field wreaked havoc on his fielding percentage at home, and he was making $1.7 million, too much for a non-regular.
And after many of the big-name free agents signed over the winter, the market tightened. Hill had to settle for a $300,000 contract, no incentives and non-roster status with Seattle.
“This is a good situation for me,” Hill said, despite the huge pay cut. “I have a chance to start the season in left field, and the ballparks are smaller.
A’s injuries mount
Oakland’s rookie outfielder Brian Lesher broke his left foot against the M’s on Thursday.
Lesher was batting in the seventh inning when he fouled a Mike Timlin pitch off the foot, causing a fracture that will deactivate him for up to six weeks.