Buhner, Hill Lead M’S To Victory

Glenallen Hill hit a two-run single in the eighth inning against his former team and the Seattle Mariners beat the San Francisco Giants 10-5 Sunday in Scottsdale, Ariz. Jay Buhner hit his fourth spring homer, a three-run shot off Giants starter Osvaldo Fernandez in the fourth inning.

Pat Listach had a two-run double and Rob Ducey added an RBI single in the ninth for the Mariners.

Mike Timlin (2-0) pitched two hitless innings for the win.

Mariners make moves

The Seattle Mariners cut two players Sunday from their major league camp, optioning outfielder Charles Gipson and right-handed pitcher Makoto “Mac” Suzuki to class AAA Tacoma.

The cuts left 36 players competing for spots on the team’s 25-man roster. Sixteen of those are pitchers, competing for 11 pitching positions. Four other players on the spring roster are injured.

Suzuki became the first Japanese-born player to make an American League team in 1996, when he played briefly for the Mariners. However, he spent last year in the minors.

Mo eases up a little

Red Sox first baseman Mo Vaughn tempered his criticism of the team on Sunday, saying “the phone lines … are always open” to work a new deal.

“I’d like to finish my career there (in Boston). I feel I can do some good things there,” he said. “The phone lines and options are always open. You’d be crazy to cut your resources off before it’s written in stone.”

Vaughn hit his sixth homer of the spring in Boston’s 5-0 victory on Sunday. Although he typically starts slow and didn’t homer until the last day in Florida last year, this year he leads all of spring training in homers.

Vaughn, 30, is in the last year of a three-year, $18.6 million contract. He has been seeking a long-term deal of five years, but the team will offer no more than three.

Gonzales is healthy

For the first time in a long time, the Texas Rangers are talking about Juan Gonzalez’s good health instead of his injuries.

Gonzalez, who skipped winter ball this offseason and worked out with a personal trainer instead, is so excited about the upcoming season that he’s talking about a number that has eluded him: 162.

“I feel great, and I know the people are talking about my physical condition,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve never worked harder. In my program with my personal trainer, I am preparing to play 110 percent with no injuries.”

Garth Brooks suits up

Garth Brooks traded in his cowboy hat for a baseball uniform Sunday. The scouting report: good leather, so-so wood. And wouldn’t you know it, his major league moment ended in a double play.

The country music superstar joined the San Diego Padres for two days of workouts at their spring training complex, causing quite a stir both in the clubhouse, where there was a run on baseballs to be autographed, and among the fans.

A few hours later, Brooks found himself in the Padres’ exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs, pinch-running for Wally Joyner.

But Greg Vaughn grounded into a double play. Brooks slid toward second base, then hustled off the field.

Caray may sing

There may in fact be a Caray singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during seventh-inning stretches after all.

Chip Caray, who will join Steve Stone on Chicago Cubs telecasts as soon as the Orlando Magic end their season, said Sunday he is willing to sing the anthem the way his late grandfather did if he, the ballclub and the Caray family agree it would be something fans would welcome.

The possibility was discussed briefly in the days surrounding Harry Caray’s funeral last month, but no decision has been reached, a team official said.

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