Mariners Spring Training Update – Day 21

Day 21 / Saturday, March 3, 2012 / 25 Days ‘til Opening Night in Tokyo (March 28 vs. Oakland) / 41 Days ‘til Opening Night in Seattle (April 13 vs. Oakland)

Weather:
The team hit the fields in Peoria with temperatures in the high 50’s and literally not a cloud in the sky. Game-time temperature was a very pleasant 66° with a slight breeze blowing out to left field.

Tweet of the Day:

Pre-game moment of silence for @mariners Greg Halman and Frank Mattox. twitpic.com/8rowgi

— PeoriaSportsComplex (@PeoriaSportsCom) March 4, 2012

The Day:
This section of the blog isn’t going to change much over the next 18 days before the team leaves for Japan. The club had a brief meeting in the morning with members of the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T). Stretch was at 9:30 and batting practice was from 10:15-11:15. This will be the normal routine for most games played at Peoria Stadium, with a break for lunch (fajitas) and then gear up for the game at the main stadium. Prior to the start of the game vs. the A’s, both teams lined up and observed a moment of silence and watched a video on the scoreboard in memory of Greg Halman and Frank Mattox.

First pitch at Peoria Stadium.

Mariners Suffer First Cactus League Loss:
The Mariners suffered their first Cactus League loss today, falling to the A’s 9-2 at Peoria Stadium. Starting pitcher Hector Noesi looked sharp, striking out a pair in 2.0 shutout innings, and slugger Carlos Peguero hit his second home run in as many games.

MLB Network 30-in-30:
Former Mariners second baseman Harold Reynolds and the MLB Network are in camp conducting interviews…the Mariners will be the first team featured in the 30 Clubs in 30 Days series, debuting Monday on the MLB Network (check your local listings)…look for interviews with Felix Hernandez, Jay Buhner & Ken Griffey Jr., Jesus Montero, and special features like a complex tour with Shawn Kelley and Harold taking groundballs with Dustin Ackley.

Jay Buhner, Harold Reynolds and Ken Griffey Jr. having fun with an interview for the MLB Network.

Cactus League Update:
LHP Jason Vargas is scheduled to start tomorrow against the Padres in the annual Charity Game at Peoria Stadium (1:05 MT/12:05 PT). Seattle will be the home team (wear white pants, bat second ) in the first of three games vs. the complex partners. The Mariners will be the visitors on Monday vs. the Padres. The game will be broadcast in Seattle on 710 ESPN Seattle and select stations on the Mariners Radio Network. RHP Anthony Bass is scheduled to start for the Padres. Here is at the Mariners starting pitchers for the first four Cactus League Games:

3/4 vs. SD – LHP Jason Vargas vs. RHP Anthony Bass
3/5 at SD – RHP Hisashi Iwakuma vs. RHP Dustin Moseley
3/5 at CIN (B Game) – RHP Taijuan Walker vs. RHP Daniel Corcino (10 a.m. at Reds Goodyear complex)
3/6 vs. CIN – RHP Felix Hernandez vs. RHP Mat Latos

Mark Your Calendar:
The Mariners will play the Padres tomorrow in the annual charity game…the Mariners will play at least one game every day for the next 18 days before leaving for Japan on March 22…a complete spring schedule is listed on Mariners.com.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

- JE