Mariners defeat Rockies 4-3 in Salt Lake City
A sellout crowd of 15,411 saw the Seattle Mariners defeat the "host" Colorado Rockies 4-3 on a beautiful day at Spring Mobile Ballpark.
The final Spring Training game for both squads was deadlocked into the seventh inning at 2-2, with all four runs scored via the solo home run. Kendrys Morales went deep in the fourth and Justin Smoak homered in the fifth for the Mariners, both off of Rockies' starter Jeff Francis. Troy Tulowitzki and Todd Helton both went yard for the Rockies in the bottom of the fourth off of Seattle starter Brandon Maurer.
The Mariners took control of the game with two runs in the top of the eighth off of Rockies reliever Matt Belisle. Raul Ibanez drove in a run with a one-out sacrifice fly to give his team a 3-2 lead, and Brad Miller drove in the eventual winning run with an RBI double to deep left with two outs to put his team ahead 4-2.
The Rockies cut the deficit to one with Jordan Ribera's two out RBI single in the eighth, but could get no closer. The Mariners' celebration at the end of the game was an unusual sight for an exhibition game, but according to first baseman Justin Smoak, it's all part of being done with Spring Training. "I think we're all excited to get the season started. We've had a great spring as a team, and I think we're all excited to get going."
On a beautiful spring day in Salt Lake City, Spring Mobile Ballpark may have been the star of the day. During pregame interviews, players and coaches from both teams gushed over the scenic view past the outfield wall and the amazing conditions in which they were about to play baseball. Rockies star Todd Helton quipped that, "I always said that if they put a third deck on here it's a major league park."
Stephen Pryor recorded the win for the Mariners, pitching a flawless inning for the visitors. Brian Sweeney picked up the save, walking one and striking out a man in the ninth. Rex Brothers took the loss for the Rockies, giving up a walk and an earned run in a third of an inning.