Beltre, M’s slip past Diamondbacks

Adrian Beltre returned to the Mariners the way his left his native Dominican Republic team in the World Baseball Classic – slugging home runs.

Seattle’s third baseman hit a solo home run Tuesday in his first Seattle at-bat this month, and fellow regulars Raul Ibanez and Richie Sexson also continued their hot months with home runs in the Mariners’ 5-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Peoria, Ariz. Umpires halted the game in the top of the eighth inning because of rain.

The home runs overcame a sluggish start from newly acquired Jarrod Washburn. He allowed six hits and three runs in his five innings through the wind and rain. Washburn allowed Luis Gonzalez’s two-run home run in the first inning and Jerry Gil’s solo homer in the fifth.

The Diamondbacks also had a Carlos Quentin solo homer in the seventh, off Luis E. Gonzalez.

The Mariners optioned left-hander Bobby Livingston to Triple-A Tacoma. Catchers Jeff Clement and Rob Johnson, plus infielders Asdrubal Cabrera, Todd Sears and Matt Tuiasosopo, were reassigned to the minor league camp.

Bonds’ return to Giants delayed

Barry Bonds was excused from the Giants’ exhibition game against Oakland, and is expected back in the lineup tonight. Bonds traveled to his home in the Los Angeles area to spend time with his family during the Giants’ off day Monday. The San Francisco left fielder wasn’t able to get back in time to join the team for batting practice before their game in Scottsdale, Ariz..

Classic draws 1.8 rating

Japan’s victory over Cuba in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic drew a 1.8 rating, bumping up ESPN’s average rating for the 12 games it aired to 1.1. The ratings were nearly double what the network gets on average for a spring training game.

Reds acquire catcher Ross

The Cincinnati Reds acquired catcher David Ross in a trade with San Diego Padres for right-hander Bobby Basham.