Paxton roughed up before Mariners outslug Rangers 10-7

SURPRISE, Ariz. – The Mariners slugged their way past the Texas Rangers, 10-7, before a crowd of 6,607 on Sunday at Surprise Stadium.

Mike Ford belted a pinch-hit, three-run home run, Ian Miller drove in three runs and the Mariners relievers combined to allow only three hits and one walk in 7 1/3 scoreless innings.

Texas plated the first run of the ballgame in the bottom of the first. Delino DeShields led off with a double and scored on an RBI ground out. The Rangers added six runs in the bottom of the second, capped by a three-run home run off the bat of Joey Gallo.

The Mariners answered with five runs in the top of the fourth to cut the Rangers lead to 7-5. Guillermo Heredia led off with a double and scored after a walk to Daniel Vogelbach and an RBI single from Junior Lake. Two batters later, Taylor Motter doubled to bring home Vogelbach. Mike Marjama drove home a run on a fielder’s choice, and Miller drove in two on a single to center field.

Seattle took its first lead of the game in the top of the sixth as Marjama and Braden Bishop combined for back-to-back singles before Miller drove home a run on a sacrifice fly. After Danny Muno singled, Ford belted a pinch-hit, three-run home run – his first of the spring – to right field as the Mariners took a 9-7 lead. The Mariners tacked on their 10th run in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice fly from Joe DeCarlo.

James Paxton worked 1 2/3 innings and allowed seven runs on seven hits and a walk. Minor league call-up Bryan Bonnell recorded the final out in the bottom of the second. Edwin Díaz retired the Rangers in order in the fourth, striking out Robinson Chirinos and Jurickson Profar. Andrew Moore tossed three scoreless innings in relief, scattering two hits and one walk while striking out three. Moore earned the win to improve to 1-0.

Sam Moll and Ryan Cook pitched scoreless innings and Ljay Newsome fanned two in a 1-2-3 ninth inning to earn his first save of the spring.