Padres Hold M’S Offense In Check

Matt Clement got the final two outs on ground balls with runners on second and third, and the San Diego Padres held the Seattle Mariners to just four hits in winning 2-1 on Monday in Peoria, Ariz.

It was the first save of the spring for Clement, the Padres’ top pitching prospect, and snapped Seattle’s seven-game winning streak.

Stan Spencer got the win, allowing one run on one hit in two innings. Starter Donnie Wall pitched three hitless innings, striking out two and walking one.

Padres right-hander Joey Hamilton was scratched from the start because of a sore back. He’s expected to throw a couple of innings in a minor-league game today, but isn’t scheduled to pitch in a big-league game until Saturday.

Loser Ken Cloude allowed five hits and both Padres runs, one unearned, in 4-1/3 innings.

Don’t look now, but the three men the Mariners will use to close games are having great starts to their spring.

Heathcliff Slocumb hasn’t given up a run in five innings, Mike Timlin has pitched two scoreless innings and Bobby Ayala has thrown five innings without allowing a run - while striking out nine batters.

Dodgers sale nears completion

Two members of baseball’s ruling executive council predicted the proposed sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers to Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Group will be approved next week.

The council members, who spoke on the condition they not be identified, said they expected some opposition to the sale but were confident the agreement between Fox and Peter O’Malley had enough votes among owners to carry.

A’s sign Mitchell

The Oakland Athletics signed former National League most valuable player Kevin Mitchell to a minor league contract.

The 36-year-old Mitchell, who played in 20 games for the Cleveland Indians last season, is scheduled to report to the Athletics’ minor league camp today.