Mariners edge past Kansas City, former All-Star

PEORIA, Ariz. – After languishing in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen to start last season, a midseason trade to Kansas City gave Odalis Perez a fresh start.

Now in his first full season with the Royals, Perez is making the most of it.

The former All-Star gave up one run in five innings Saturday in a 5-4 exhibition loss to the Seattle Mariners.

His best stuff wasn’t there against the Mariners, but Perez still battled through against a potent Seattle lineup.

More than one batter reached base in three of his five innings, but he got out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth when Jose Guillen hit a sharp liner right at Kansas City third baseman Alex Gordon.

Jose Vidro went 3 for 5 and knocked in the eventual deciding run in a three-run eighth for Seattle.

Like Perez, Mariners starter Jarrod Washburn fought through multiple jams, giving up three runs in six innings.

He struggled out of the gate but settled down.

Seattle’s Guillen impressed at the plate. He rocketed a pair of doubles in his first two at-bats.