Robinson Cano homers in Mariners’ 11-11 tie with Athletics

MESA, Ariz. – Robinson Cano belted a single that didn’t count and followed with a two-run homer in the Seattle Mariners’ 11-11 tie with the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.

Cano and home-plate umpire Dana DeMuth were both asking for time in the fourth inning when starter Kendall Graveman followed through with a pitch. Cano ripped it into center field but was called back to the plate. He then hit a home run on a 2-1 pitch.

Rob Brantly also homered for Seattle.

Danny Valencia homered and drove in three and Coco Crisp added a two-run double for the A’s.

Mariners shortstop Ketel Marte was struck in the eye when the ball took a tricky hop on a throw in from right fielder Daniel Robertson on Jed Lowrie’s double. Cano said it was a hard infield, which may have been a contributing factor.

Marte was checked by team trainers and remained in the game.

Paxton struggles with off-speed pitches

Mariners left-hander James Paxton said he went to his breaking stuff too often and that threw him off his game. He retired the first two hitters he faced in each of the first two innings but still allowed seven runs in two-plus innings.

“It’s a mental thing, really,” Paxton said. “I have to do a better job recognizing that I lost the breaking stuff. I needed to step off the mound and disconnect myself, ask what I was doing wrong and how to fix it.”

Paxton walked two and gave up two hits to open the third.

“I may have been going a little too fast,” he said. “I was too quick to the plate. I’m still refining my breaking ball. The consistency is not there yet. I just didn’t have a good day.”

M’s notes

First baseman Stefen Romero was a late scratch from the starting lineup. … Catcher Steve Clevenger (flu-like symptoms) was in the lineup as the designated hitter. …. Right-hander Tony Zych (food poisoning) was scheduled to pitch but did not appear. … Lefty Charlie Furbush (triceps tightness) completed a successful long toss session on Wednesday. … Righty Steve Johnson was signed to a minor league and reported to minor league camp. He was released by the Rangers on Monday. Johnson appeared in 27 games with the Baltimore Orioles over the past few years.