Rockies top M’s

LAS VEGAS – Todd Helton continued his strong spring, going 3 for 3 with an RBI double to lead the Colorado Rockies past the Seattle Mariners 6-3 in an exhibition game Friday night.

Helton, who was hitting .486 coming into Friday, was helped by 25-35 mph winds blowing left to right. His third-inning single and RBI double in the fourth both eluded left fielder Endy Chavez.

The Mariners played without Ichiro Suzuki, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 31 because of a bleeding ulcer. He’s eligible to come off the DL on April 15.

Chavez is competing with Franklin Gutierrez for Ichiro’s leadoff spot. Both went 2 for 3, and Gutierrez had an RBI.