Cano has 2 hits, Ramirez sharp as Mariners win

Second baseman Robinson Cano had two more hits and Erasmo Ramirez (pictured) pitched four-hit ball for six innings, enhancing his chance of earning a spot in the Mariners’ rotation and helping Seattle beat the Chicago Cubs 3-0. Ramirez, who has a 0.96 ERA this spring, struck out four without allowing a walk. He hit one batter. “I was lucky sometimes because I missed the spot,” Ramirez said. “We have to make better 0-2 and 1-2 pitches,” M’s manager Lloyd McClendon said. “He got some balls up in the zone that he got away with. But for the most part, he threw the ball OK.” McClendon stopped short of announcing that Ramirez has won a spot in the rotation. Cano was 2 for 3 to raise his batting average to .567. Dustin Ackley went 3 for 4, lifting his average to .457. Joe Beimel, Fernando Rodney and Yoervis Medina each pitched a scoreless inning for the Mariners. – AP