Mariners squads defeated

Sean Marshall is making it difficult for Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella to conceal his choice for his fifth starter.

The left-hander gave up an unearned run in 41/3 innings of the Cubs’ 8-1, split-squad win over a Seattle Mariners split squad on Friday in Mesa, Ariz.

“We have a pretty good idea what we are going to do right now,” Piniella said before the game. “There’s no reason to announce anything. Let everyone compete.”

Marshall dropped his ERA to 0.68 with the Cubs’ longest outing by a pitcher this spring. He allowed three hits, a walk and struck out three.

Triple-A outfielder Sam Fuld led the Cubs with two hits, including a home run, two runs and a stolen base. Andres Blanco also had two hits and a home run.

Second baseman Mike Fontenot had an RBI single in three at-bats and is hitting .371 in the spring.

Seattle third baseman Oswaldo Navarro had two of the Mariners eight hits. Starting pitcher Gabby Hernandez allowed four hits and four runs in four innings, including two home runs. Reliever Tyler Walker also struggled, allowing three earned runs while getting just two outs.

In Tucson, Ariz., an M’s split-squad squad lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks 14-6.

Bedard concerns rise

Seattle left-hander Erik Bedard has canceled a bullpen session for the second consecutive day, raising concerns that the Mariners’ ace may be hurt more than he’s letting on.

Bedard was scratched from his scheduled start against Kansas City on Wednesday because of sore buttocks and missed his bullpen session on Thursday for the same reason. He canceled again Friday.