Mariners Spring Training Log: March 5 at CWS (Spring #5)

Mariners game ends in tie, this time against the White Sox

Our hands are tied in this.

Recap:

PHOENIX, Ariz. — The Mariners and White Sox finished Friday afternoon’s contest at Camelback Ranch-Glendale tied 2–2 in a scheduled seven-inning game. Both teams threatened in the later innings, but could not push a run across past the third inning as each club registered its third tie of the spring.

Mariners starter Chris Flexen had a solid spring debut in his first start in the Mariners organization. He did allow two runs, but only one was earned, striking out the final three batters he faced. Flexen went 2.0 innings, giving up the pair of runs on two hits and one walk with three punchouts.

Seattle relievers Joey Gerber, Roenis Elías, Domingo Tapia, Matt Magill, and Erik Swanson each contributed an inning out of the bullpen, with Elías and Magill making their 2021 spring debuts. In the bottom of the fifth inning with Tapia on the mound, the Mariners defense got itself out of a jam with a play for the ages.

The White Sox loaded the bases with nobody out and the defending American League MVP José Abreu coming up at the plate. Abreu grounded a one-hopper that Seattle third baseman Donovan Walton fired to catcher Brian O’Keefe to force out the lead runner, with O’Keefe quickly sending it to first to force out Abreu.

Chicago’s Tim Anderson then tried to score from second base, but was thrown out on a close play at the plate, with first baseman Jantzen Witte snapping the ball back to O’Keefe to complete the rare 5–2–3–2 triple play.

Offensively, the Mariners out-hit the White Sox by a 10–5 advantage. Kyle Lewis went 2-for-3 with a double and scored both of Seattle’s runs. Ty France, who came into the day leading the Cactus League in slugging percentage, went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles. Lastly, Sam Haggerty went 2-for-2 and recorded the Mariners first triple this spring.

Seattle has now finished three straight spring games in a tie for the first time since March 29-April 1, 2017.

The Mariners return home Saturday to face the Oakland Athletics at Peoria Stadium. Right-hander Justin Dunn is the probable pitcher for Seattle, set to make his first 2021 start. He will oppose Oakland righty Daulton Jeffries, with first pitch at 1:10 pm Arizona time/12:10 pm PT.

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