Cubs thump Mariners 15-8

Brandon Sing hit two long home runs and had three RBIs and Aramis Ramirez also homered, helping the Chicago Cubs to a 15-8 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday in spring training play in Peoria, Ariz.

Cubs starter Glendon Rusch pitched two innings, giving up a home run to Raul Ibanez in the first.

In his two innings, Jamie Moyer, a 43-year-old left-hander who is expected to be the Mariners’ opening day starter, allowed one run on four hits. Julio Mateo pitched the third and gave up five runs on six hits, while Dave Burba was tagged for six runs on five hits and a walk in 1 1/3 innings.

Mariners notes

After being sidelined the entire 2005 season following shoulder surgery, left-hander Travis Blackley pitched a scoreless inning for Seattle in a B game against the San Diego Padres. Blackley, 23, was the winning pitcher in a 3-1 victory in the six-inning game.

Joel Pineiro, a starter in Seattle’s rotation, pitched three scoreless innings. He will leave today to pitch for Puerto Rico in the inaugural World Baseball Classic.

Closer Eddie Guardado made his spring debut, pitching one inning. He gave up a home run to designated hitter Ryan Klesko in the fourth.

Umps authorize strike

Minor league umpires voted to authorize their first strike since forming a union in 2000 and said Triple-A members would not serve as fill-in major league umps until there is a contract.

The minor league umps, whose five-year labor deal expired in November, had previously voted not to work spring training games. The decision whether to strike will be made by the union’s officers.

Around the league

Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood is ailing again, and the Washington Nationals could be without outfielder Jose Guillen for three months because of a wrist injury. Wood will have minor arthroscopic surgery on his right knee next week and was not expected to be ready for the start of the season. Guillen was examined by a hand specialist, who diagnosed swollen tendons and a damaged tendon in his left wrist and recommended surgery that would likely keep him out of the lineup until June. … Curt Schilling struck out his first two batters of spring training and allowed one hit in four shutout innings in Boston’s exhibition against Boston College in Fort Myers, Fla. … In World Baseball Classic games in Tokyo, Japan routed China 18-2 and South Korea beat Taiwan 2-0.