Meche progresses

There is a mini-revelation brewing in the Mariners’ spring training camp.

Seattle’s so-so starting pitchers of recent seasons are shutting down opponents in offense-friendly Arizona. The latest on Friday was Gil Meche, who walked only one in three otherwise perfect innings of the San Diego Padres’ eventual 9-7 win over the Mariners in Peoria, Ariz.

Geoff Blum’s three-run homer in the eighth and Justin Leone’s grand slam in the ninth rallied the Padres to the win. But they didn’t erase the relief the Mariners are feeling over Meche.

The 1996 No. 1 draft choice strained a left oblique muscle on Feb. 28 and didn’t make his first spring start until Monday. But Meche has allowed only two base runners and struck out six in his first two scoreless outings.

Against the Padres, Meche walked Ben Johnson in the third inning and otherwise cruised.

Meche’s mastery extended Seattle starters’ scoreless-innings streak to 15.

“It’s fun for me right now, but I need to be careful not to overthrow,” Meche said.

San Diego starter Woody Williams isn’t having fun. He allowed 10 hits and five earned runs – including Carl Everett’s first Mariner home run – in five innings. Williams has allowed 27 hits and 14 earned runs in 17 innings this month. His spring ERA is 7.41.

Beyond Seattle’s stellar starters, the Mariners bullpen remained a concern.

Supposed left-handed set-up man George Sherrill struggled again. Blum’s home run, his second of the spring, closed Seattle’s lead to 6-5 and left Sherrill with 11 hits and nine earned runs allowed in five spring innings, for a 16.20 ERA.

Kevin Appier, trying a comeback with the Mariners at age 38, relieved Meche but left the game in the fifth inning when he strained his right calf muscle covering first base on a ground ball. Seattle manager Mike Hargrove said the injury “does not look good.”

“Midway through spring training, Seattle’s season-ticket sales are down 2,000 from the same point last year.

Ichiro, Japan look for win

Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki and Japan get one more chance to beat South Korea when the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic are played in San Diego tonight. Japan has lost twice to Korea in the tournament.

In the semifinal, the Dominican Republic faces Cuba. The winners meet Monday night for the championship.

Around the majors

New York Mets second baseman Kaz Matsui is expected to miss opening day after injuring his right knee while sliding. … Washington Nationals reliever Luis Ayala will have reconstructive surgery on his right elbow and is expected to miss the entire season. … South Korea pitcher Myung Hwan Park has tested positive for a banned substance and is disqualified from the World Baseball Classic, Major League Baseball said.