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Four Takeaways From Seattle Mariners' 9-4 Loss Against San Francisco Giants
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- Four Takeaways From Seattle Mariners' 9-4 Loss Against San Francisco Giants
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Seattle Mariners were unable to overcome a five-run fourth inning from the San Francisco Giants and fell 9-4 in a Cactus League game Wednesday at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Ariz.
As is the case with most spring training games, there were several positives for the Mariners despite the loss.
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Here's several takeaways from Seattle's loss against San Francisco :
Here's Jonny
Outfielder Jonny Farmelo has been one of the most well-regarded prospects in the Mariners' farm system since he selected in the 2023 MLB Draft.
On Wednesday, he was one of the few bright spots for Seattle.
Farmelo (No. 78 MLB Pipeline top 100 ) went 2-for-2 with a triple and a double and scored two runs against the Giants.
His stand-up triple came against former Cy Young winner (and former Mariners starting pitcher) Robbie Ray in the top of the third.
Farmelo, who also played center field, was a half-step away from making a sliding grab for an out later in the game. The ball got by him but was cut off by right fielder Lazaro Montes.
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"When (Farmelo) gets going, he's really fast," Seattle manager Dan Wilson said after the game. "Even on that contact play, such as great jump and he can really use his speed and be a weapon in a lot of ways. What he does offensively, and he uses it defensively as well. ... We've known he's a good player, he's a complete player. Really getting a chance here to show us what he can do. ... Jonny tonight, offensively, defensively, looked very, very sharp."
Cris(p) outing for Criswell
The Mariners saw first hand last season how important depth is on the starting rotation. Emerson Hancock and Logan Evans (out for the season with elbow surgery) both made 15 starts due to injuries suffered by George Kirby , Bryan Woo , Logan Gilbert and Bryce Miller .
There's still a question whether Cooper Criswell will be used as a long-relief arm out of the bullpen, for depth on the starting rotation or a combination of the two. Either way, he likely inspired some confidence regardless of his role with his outing against San Francisco.
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Criswell pitched three innings, had one strikeout, hit a batter and allowed two hits in his start.
Aside from the solid box score numbers, Criswell also showed impressive fortitude. He hit Giants outfielder Luis Matos in the head with an 87-mile per hour cutter in the second inning. Matos shook it off and took first base and continued to play.
Criswell's first pitch after that brief but scary moment was another 87-mph cutter that landed in the zone for a strike.
"Obviously not intentional or anything," Criswell said after his start Wednesday. "Just slipped out of my hand. Sucked. Hopefully he's alright. It appeared he was, thank God. ... I feel like I've always been 'attack, get ahead.' But the past couple years, maybe tried to nibble too much a little early in counts. This year, going straight at guys."
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Cole Young heating up at the right time
Seattle's front office has already alluded to the fact that it's willing to be flexible with third and second base going into the season.
At the beginning of spring, the likelihood was Brendan Donovan would start at third and Cole Young would start at second.
Other players, such as Michael Arroyo, Colt Emerson and Leo Rivas , could factor into those plans.
However, Young is starting to heat up at the right time and is laying his claim to the starting second base job.
For the second day in a row, Young had a solid day in the field. He helped turn a double play and made a diving stop on a ground ball at second base.
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Young also contributed at the plate. In the lead-off spot, the former top 100 prospect went 1-for-3 with an RBI and drew a walk.
"The way he's been swinging it lately, I think it's starting to come for him," Wilson said. "It's coming. Still fairly early here in spring but these guys are getting to where they need to be. ... I think (he's) feeling more and more comfortable on both sides of the ball here and that's good to see."
J.P. Crawford still looking for first hit of spring
The longest-tenured player on the Mariners, shortstop J.P. Crawford, is still looking for his first hit of spring training.
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The former Gold Glove winner missed several games due to minor shoulder soreness and has played the last two games as a designated hitter.
Crawford wasn't able to get a knock, but he still contributed on the scoreboard. In two at-bats, he had two RBIs. He brought Farmelo home twice Wednesday — once on a fielder's choice in the top of the third and the second time with an RBI sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth.
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