Everett caps rally with blast

SEATTLE – Carl Everett’s three-run homer capped a five-run ninth inning as the Seattle Mariners rallied to beat the Texas Rangers 9-6 on Wednesday night.

The Mariners scored four runs off Texas closer Francisco Cordero (1-2). Ichiro Suzki, who had four hits to break out of a 5-for-32 slump, was hit by a pitch to lead off the ninth. Jose Lopez followed with a double before Raul Ibanez’s sacrifice fly made it 6-5. Richie Sexson then had an RBI single to tie the game.

Kenji Johjima singled to chase Cordero before Everett connected for his third homer of the season off reliever C.J. Wilson.

J.J. Putz (1-0) pitched an inning for the victory.

Ichiro was 4 for 4 to raise his average from .177 to .227.

Kevin Millwood, the 2005 American League ERA leader, held Seattle to three runs and looked poised for his second straight victory before the rally.

Hank Blalock had three hits and three RBIs for Texas, which lost for the second time in six games.

Everett and Adrian Beltre had back-to-back doubles off reliever Antonio Alfonseca to bring Seattle within 6-4 in the eighth inning.

But with two on and two out, pinch hitter Roberto Petagine grounded out to reliever Akinori Otsuka to end the threat.

It was the first extra-base hit and RBI this season for Beltre.

An announced crowd of 17,613 watched on a pleasant spring night. It was the lowest attendance at Safeco Field, which opened in July 1999.

Texas built a 4-1 lead in the fifth on consecutive doubles from Michael Young and Mark Teixeira and a RBI single by Blalock.

In the bottom of the inning, Seattle loaded the bases. With the sparse crowd noisy for the only time, Raul Ibanez popped out to end Seattle’s threat.

Blalock made it 6-1 with a two-run single off reliever Julio Mateo.

Millwood escaped more trouble after Ichiro’s fourth hit scored Seattle’s second run in the seventh. The right-hander, who gave up 12 hits, got Jose Lopez to hit a comebacker that turned into an inning-ending double play.

Seattle opening day starter Jamie Moyer remained winless through four starts. He allowed four runs in six innings.

Appier works at Tacoma

For Kevin Appier, it was a minor step back to the major leagues.

The former All-Star pitcher and 2002 World Series winner pitched a scoreless inning for Seattle’s Triple-A Tacoma affiliate, his next step in his comeback attempt after 24 months out of the major leagues.

Appier, 38, allowed one hit and one walk in the seventh inning of the Rainiers’ 3-2 win at Sacramento. He struck out one and threw 18 pitches, nine for strikes.

Appier was pitching in his first game for Tacoma after two outings at extended spring training in Peoria, Ariz. Earlier this month, he accepted the Mariners’ minor-league offer to recover from a right calf strain he sustained March 17.

He threw 36 pitches over two innings and 45 pitches in three innings in those two Arizona games against rehabilitating minor leaguers from Oakland and San Diego. In spring training with the Mariners, the 16-year veteran had two wins and 2.84 ERA in three March appearances.

That’s what keeps the Mariners intrigued that Appier could help them this season.

“Anytime you see anyone get guys out like that, they all become intriguing – especially guys like Kevin Appier,” Mariners manager Mike Hargrove said last month after Appier’s impressive beginning.

Greg Hunter, Seattle director of minor league operations, said this week that Appier is scheduled to work up to four- and five-inning outings with Tacoma.

Notes

Ichiro Suzuki’s last four-hit game was Sept. 30 against Oakland. His career high is five hits, done four times. … Seattle manager Mike Hargrove said the team isn’t concerned about starting pitcher Felix Hernandez, and is being careful to stay positive with the right-hander who just turned 20. “If I had the chance to take five Felix Hernandezes, I’d take them,” Hargrove said. “All he needs is time, and he’s going to get it.” … Before batting practice, Seattle’s Carl Everett made one quick circuit through the clubhouse on a bicycle. … Ichiro hasn’t attempted to bunt for a hit in the first 14 games, saying corner infielders are playing him close. A year ago, he had six bunt singles. … In their first 15 games, the Mariners stole 17 bases and were caught just three times. That total leads the majors – and no A.L. team is closer than the Los Angeles Angels, who have 11 steals.