Vogelbach makes splash for Rainiers

Dan Vogelbach wasted no time in establishing himself in a new organization, but he didn't see much difference in the way he played Friday than the way he's been playing all season.

"I don't really try to think of it as that," he said. "The way I think of it is, it's the same game, there's just different guys in the clubhouse. And it's easy to play with these guys. They greeted me and made me feel comfortable and ready to play."

Vogelbach, the Mariners' newly anointed No. 15 prospect, homered in his first plate appearance with his new franchise and went 3-for-3 with a double, a walk and two RBIs as Triple-A Tacoma beat Salt Lake, 8-3.

"I had a blast," he said. "The guys here made it easy to come play right away. This is a great group of guys. They're fun and they make it easy to play."

The 23-year-old left-handed hitter has played predominantly first base since the Cubs drafted him in the second round in 2011, but he served as designated hitter on Friday, which may be the role he fills when he reaches the Majors. The Mariners acquired him Wednesday with right-hander Paul Blackburn for pitchers Mike Montgomery and Jordan Pries, a trade he learned of before Iowa started a doubleheader against Salt Lake.

"I was excited to have a chance at a new beginning and to make a fresh start, but at the same time, it was hard leaving some of those guys who'd become my friends and who are going to be my friends for a lifetime," he said. "But God has a plan and I'm happy to have the chance for a new beginning and follow that plan."

Vogelbach already was leading the Pacific Coast League with a .425 on-base percentage to go with 16 homers and 18 doubles in 89 games with the I-Cubs. The perfect night at the dish boosted his OBP to .431 and his batting average to .325.

"I feel good at the plate right now. I'm just taking it pitch by pitch and at-bat by at-bat," he said. "I try to put barrels on the ball, and whatever happens after that, I can't control."

In the second inning, he battled third-ranked Angels prospect Nate Smith with no outs and a runner on, sending Smith's sixth pitch over the right field fence.

"Anytime I can face a lefty and have a good at-bat and end up with a homer, that's a positive," Vogelbach said, "and even moreso when it gives us a lead."

Facing Smith again in the third, he saw six more pitches and poked an opposite-field RBI double.

Vogelbach said that after two big hits to start the game, it can be a challenge not to become overeager.

"That's when you have to step out and slow things down," he said. "Don't throw away at-bats and take what they give you."

The mindset worked. He knocked a single to left off Smith in the fifth and led off the seventh with a seven-pitch walk against Geoff Broussard.

"I was happy with how things went and, more importantly, I was happy the team came away with the win," he said.

Tacoma manager Pat Listach sent up Mariners No. 20 prospect Patrick Kivlehan to bat for Vogelbach in the ninth against Lucas Luetge.

"He just told me he was going to let Pat Kivlehan get an at-bat off a lefty, and I thought that was awesome," Vogelbach said. "I'm all about the team, and anything I can do to help the team, I'm willing to do and I will do."

Stefen Romero homered twice, collecting three hits, three RBIs and three runs scored.

Rainiers starter Joe Wieland (8-5) allowed a run on six hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings to come away with his second straight win.

Nick Buss went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and fell a triple shy of the cycle for the Bees.