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Seattle Mariners

Taijuan Walker starts bid for spot in Mariners’ rotation with two strong innings

Walker
Bob Dutton Tacoma News Tribune
Walker

PEORIA, Ariz. – The time is right, Taijuan Walker believes, to validate his long-held status as the Seattle Mariners’ top pitching prospect.

Wednesday served as a strong opening statement.

Walker delivered two strong innings against San Diego’s revamped lineup when the Mariners opened their 32-game Cactus League schedule with a 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres in 10 innings at Peoria Stadium.

“My confidence, right now, is pretty high,” Walker said. “I think that’s going to help this spring.”

The facts: Tyler Marlette opened the 10th inning with a single Wednesday and scored the winning run from first when Pat Kivlehan lined a one-out single that got past Padres right fielder Rymer Liriano.

Relievers Rafael Perez and Dominic Leone blew one-run leads in the eighth and ninth innings. Mark Lowe got the victory after escaping a bases-loaded jam in the San Diego 10th inning.

Play of the game: Mariners first baseman Ji-Man Choi suffered a broken right fibula on what should have been a routine play to end the game in the ninth.

Shortstop Tyler Smith threw high to first base after fielding Taylor Lindsey’s grounder. The throw forced Choi to jump for the ball as Rico Noel scored the tying run from third base.

Choi landed awkwardly and remained on the ground in obvious pain. He was helped to a cart and transported to the Mariners’ clubhouse.

Plus: Walker, still just 22, struck out Matt Kemp with one out and a runner on third in the first, then breezed through an 11-pitch second inning. … D.J. Peterson belted a two-out solo homer in the first inning. … First baseman Jesus Montero had singles in his two at-bats.

Minus: Walker allowed Cameron Maybin to steal second without a throw in the first inning. … The Padres stole four bases against backup catcher Mike Dowd in the final three innings.

Quotable: “We’ll pace them,” manager Lloyd McClendon on the decision not to play many of the Mariners’ projected regulars in the spring opener. “They’ll play (today).”