Former Indian Reichert lit up by Cubs
LAS VEGAS – Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Dan Reichert gave up two ninth-inning home runs on Saturday as the Chicago Cubs came back for a 3-2 victory in the final exhibition for both teams.
Angel Echevarria hit Reichert’s first pitch in the ninth over the left-field fence and, two batters later, Henry Blanco won the game with another homer to left. Reichert is a former Spokane Indians pitcher.
The Mariners took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Jeremy Reed scored on pitcher Renyel Pinto’s wild pitch. Kit Pellow’s RBI double in the eighth drove in Willie Bloomquist with the Mariners’ second run, giving them a 2-1 lead.
The Mariners finished with just four hits off six Cubs pitchers.
“We didn’t hit like we’d have liked, but that’s understandable on a day like today,” Hargrove said.
Most of the Mariners’ regulars got just two at-bats before Hargrove emptied a bench filled with minor leaguers.
The loss gave the Mariners a 13-16-3 final exhibition record.
Hernandez makes his mark
Felix Hernandez’s spring training adventure ended with more adventure for the Mariners pitcher.
Hernandez finished with a 4.74 earned run average.
“I see a kid who’s probably not ready yet,” manager Mike Hargrove said. “But on the flip side I see a kid who could be ready pretty quick, with emphasis on ‘could.’ He’s got all the pitches but he needs the experience.”
Hargrove said he was impressed in the way Hernandez handled himself around the big-league camp, and especially after some difficult times on the mound.
Reese goes on DL
Shortstop Rokey Reese was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Mariners because of a sore right shoulder.
Reese, 31, signed as a free agent in January after playing in 96 games for the World Series champion Boston Red Sox last season.
The Mariners started Wilson Valdez, claimed off waivers from the New York Mets, at shortstop in their spring finale against the Chicago Cubs in Las Vegas. Valdez made the team’s opening day 25-man roster.
In another moves, the Mariners placed right-hander Joel Pineiro on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 27.