Seattle Mariners top prospects Julio Rodriguez and Jarred Kelenic

lead Mariners to

Cactus league opener.

The opening game of the Cactus League for the Seattle Mariners left coaches, players and fans with a gleam in their eye. Two of the clubs brightest prospects Julio Rodriguez and Jarred Kelenic combined to deliver a 5-4 walk-off win for the Mariners over the San Diego Padres.

The Mariners and Padres traded run in the first inning. The Mariners picked up three runs in the third inning on Dylan Moore single that scored Kyle Seger and a line drive double by Evan White that brough home Ty France and Dylan Moore for the 4-1 lead. The Padres Wil Myers solo home run in the fourth inning narrowed the Mariners lead to 4-2.

Padre right fielder Jorge Ona’s two run home in the top of the sixth inning tied the game at four a piece. The game stayed tied until the bottom of the ninth inning.

Taylor Trammell and Donovan Walton went down swinging leaving the Mariners just one out left when Kelenic stepped up to the plate. Kelenic stayed patient and drew a walk. Brandon Bishop was hit by a pitch and Jack Reinheimer drew the another walk to load the bases. A group ball up the middle by Rodriguez secured the win.

Team ace Marco Gonzales started the game and pitched a solid 1 2/3 innings, allowing two hits, one unearned run with a walk. Gonzales did not finish the inning after a pair of errors by Moore and Kyle Seager. Having thrown 20 pitches and nearing his pitch count the Mariners opted to “ roll” the inning and end it with two out. The Mariners regular season opening day starter did pitched the second inning and allowed just one hit from former catcher Austin Nola.

It is early and it was a spring training game but Seattle Mariners prospects Julio Rodriguez and Jarred Kelenic played vital roles in the teams opening win. That means the M's are undefeated.