Spring-training recap: Mariners 10, Cubs 3
BY GORDON WITTENMYER gwittenmyer@suntimes.com March 8, 2012 11:04PM
Trevor Miller
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Updated: April 10, 2012 11:49AM
MARINERS 10, CUBS 3
For the record
While working on the command of his fastball, closer Carlos Marmol hit a batter with a slider and gave up four hits — including a three-run homer to Dustin Ackley on another slider — in a four-run fifth inning. Marmol was tagged with a blown save (spring rules) and a loss.
Position watch
Right-hander Chris Volstad answered Jeff Samardzija’s opening volley Wednesday with a nearly perfect duplicate effort Thursday in his first start. Volstad gave up one hit in three scoreless innings and struck out three. They’re among five or six candidates for two openings in the rotation.
Position watch II
Veteran lefty Trever Miller, battling for a bullpen spot, nearly pulled a Houdini act after entering with the bases loaded and no outs in the eighth. He knocked down a one-hop shot to the mound from the first batter and threw home for one out. After giving up an RBI single that kept the bases loaded, he got the third batter to ground back to the mound for a 1-2-3 double play. Miller hasn’t been charged with a run in 21/3 innings.
On deck
Cubs (2-3) at White Sox (1-3), 2:05 p.m., Ch. 9 (Sox crew), MLB.com (audio). Randy Wells, Rodrigo Lopez, Esmailin Caridad, John Gaub, Marco Carrillo are scheduled to pitch.
Gordon Wittenmyer
