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Seattle Mariners

Lack of offense for Mariners leads to tie with Colorado

Bob Dutton Tacoma News Tribune

PEORIA, Ariz. – The emphasis will be on the two-out throwing error by Colorado pitcher Austin House in the ninth inning on Friday that let the Mariners escape with a 1-1 tie at Peoria Stadium.

That’s fair. If House makes the routine throw after smothering Daniel Robertson’s hopper, the game is over and the Mariners limp off with a shutout loss.

But don’t overlook Ketel Marte’s two-out triple into the right-field corner prior to the House’s error.

“Really nice swing,” manager Scott Servais said. “Just dropped the head on that ball. The speed game. A big play at short tonight. He’s ready to go. Ready for a big year.”

Marte went 3 for 4 and added that defensive gem, when he charged to field a short-hop grounder by Cristhian Adames in the sixth inning.

Other than that, the Mariners’ attack was pretty quiet even though Servais kept most of his regulars in the game for at least eight innings.

Nori Aoki, Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Adam Lind, Franklin Gutierrez and Chris Iannetta were a combined 1 for 21. Cano had the one.

The flip side is the Mariners pitched well.

Lefty Wade Miley gave up one soft run over three innings and 43 pitches in his cool-down start prior to the regular season.

“I was happy with that,” he said. “Ready to go. It’s a long spring, but I definitely feel like I’m in a good spot right now.”

Colorado’s run scored in the second after Ben Paulsen’s high two-out drive fell between three Mariners in short right field for a double. The Rockies cashed in the gift when Correlle Prime followed with a ringing double to right.

That was it until two outs in the ninth.

Joaquin Benoit, Donn Roach, Vidal Nuno and Joel Peralta followed Miley and combined for six scoreless innings while allowing just three hits. They also combined for eight strikeouts and no walk.

So ends the Mariners’ home schedule in the Cactus League. They carry a 15-14-3 record into Saturday’s spring finale when they face the Rockies (15-12-4) again, but at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.