Four Takeaways From Seattle Mariners 5-1 Win Against Texas Rangers

· Yahoo Sports

SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Seattle Mariners had arguably their best all-around showing of the spring in a 5-1, Cactus League win against its American League West rivals, the Texas Rangers, on Friday at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Ariz.

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The Mariners got the job done with a combination of timely hitting from their lineup and a dominant showing from their pitching staff.

The hurler's dominant day began with a solid start from top 100 prospect (per MLB Pipeline) Kade Anderson.

Here's four takeaways from Seattle's win against Texas:

Anderson shows off potential

In his second Cactus League start and second-ever start in any professional capacity, Anderson displayed why he's considered one of the most well-regarded pitching prospects in baseball.

The left-hander threw three innings against the Rangers. He struck out two and allowed one hit in the bottom of the second inning. He didn't give up a free base or a run.

Out of his 34 pitches, Anderson threw 14 sliders and 14 four-seam fastballs, respectively. He generated three-of-five whiffs and both his strikeouts with his slider, per Baseball Savant.

"I thought the slider was really good today," Anderson said after his start Friday. "Got a lot of swing-and-miss on it, was able to throw it for strikes a lot. It's usually my go-to pitch, I would say. I'm most confident in my slider. Having that work today was really successful." 

Despite not having his "best stuff," per his own admission, the former LSU hurler focused on attacking the inside of Texas' hitters, making it difficult to put a barrel on any of his pitches.

Anderson worked through the entire Rangers lineup, including 10-season veteran, Brandon Nimmo, twice.

"I think when you play at this level, there's so many good hitters that you don't even realize who's up," Anderson said. "They're all good. When you have that mindset, it really helps you understand it doesn't matter who's in the box. This is my plan."

Bullpen shows horns against Texas

After Anderson's day was done, the Mariners bullpen stepped in and finished the job started by the top-25 prospect.

The combination of Emerson Hancock, Casey Legumina, Cole Wilcox and Robinson Ortiz combined to allow one earned run on six hits (one home run), walked two batters and fanned 11 Rangers. All four relievers had multiple strikeouts.

Hancock went three innings in long-relief. He fanned four and allowed one earned run on three hits (one homer).

Hancock threw 48 pitches, generated seven whiffs and averaged 95 miles per hour or more on both his four-seam and two-seam fastball (sinker).

He also got use out of his entire arsenal. He recorded one strikeout apiece with his slider, sinker, four-seamer and sweeper.

"I thought Hancock was outstanding," Seattle manager Dan Wilson said after the game. "I thought he had good command of all his pitches, threw some good sweepers, the slider seemed to be very effective, even with the lefties. He just continued to pound the zone. Bullpen did a really nice job."

Davis' case for major league roster grows stronger

Brennen Davis has been arguably the Mariners' best player this spring and Friday was no exception.

The former top-20 prospect went 2-for-3 with two runs, a home run and an RBI. His RBI came via a lead-off solo homer in the top of the fourth that traveled 437 feet with an exit velo of 116.7 mph.

That blast came moments after Davis made a sliding grab in right field to end the bottom of the third.

"He's been swinging the bat and driving the ball," Wilson said. "Not just out of the ballpark, we've seen him drive it in the gaps, too. He's played really nice in the outfield, as well. It's a great piece. He's a guy that has a ton of ability and we're seeing it out here in spring."

Cole Young heating up

As the spring has gone on, second baseman Cole Young has been getting more and more consistent both in the field and at the plate.

The former top 100 prospect was apparently extremely comfortable at the plate Friday. He went 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs. Both his runs and all his RBIs came via a pair of home runs — a solo homer in the top of the third and a two-run shot in the top of the sixth.

"I've been feeling good this whole spring training," Young said Friday. "Obviously, I went hitless the first however-many at-bats. But deep down, I knew it was gonna turn around and I knew I put in a lot of work this offseason. I'm just happy it showed a little today."

Other notes

Top 100 prospect, outfielder Jonny Farmelo, nearly joined Young and Davis in the home run party but came just a foot shy.

He had a potential grand slam robbed by Texas left fielder Mark Canha in the top of the fourth that instead resulted in an inning-ending flyout.

Farmelo finished the game 0-for-3 with a run.

Up next

Seattle will take on the Chicago White Sox at 1:10 p.m. PT on Saturday at the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Ariz.

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