MARINERS 7, ROYALS 3
at Peoria, Ariz.
Friday, March 16

Mariners at the plate: Left fielder Raul Ibanez hit his second home run of the spring, a three-run shot to center field in the third inning that capped a four-run Mariners rally. Shortstop Willie Bloomquist extended his hitting streak to seven games and went 4-for-4. He is now 17-for-34 this spring.

Royals at the plate: Right fielder Billy Butler lined a two-run double to left-center in the fourth inning. Butler also walked and drove in a run with an infield out. Left fielder Emil Brown went 2-for-3.

Mariners on the mound: Starter Miguel Batista held the Royals scoreless for three innings before yielding a two-run double in the fourth, when he worked out of further damage by way of a double-play grounder and infield out.

Royals on the mound: Right-handed starter Brian Bannister retired seven of the first eight batters he faced, but only four of the last 11 during a 3 2/3-innings stint.

Cactus League records: Mariners 5-12; Royals 8-9.

Up next: The Mariners attempt to improve their Cactus League record against American League West opponents to 4-0 on Saturday with a game against the Rangers at Peoria Stadium at 1:05 p.m. PT. Left-hander Horacio Ramirez takes a 0.00 ERA into the tilt and is scheduled to go five or six innings, depending on his pitch count.

The Royals return to Surprise Stadium and face the Diamondbacks at 3:05 p.m. CT. Right-hander Gil Meche takes a 2.57 ERA into his third start of the spring.