ST Game Recap: Mariners 7, Guardians 8

Not One, But TWO Chill Will Homers

The Spring Training train does not stop as the Cleveland Guardians hosted the Seattle Mariners on Friday afternoon in Goodyear, Arizona. Weather in Goodyear was nice as it was not really warm, but had some nice cloud coverage for the players and fans. Weather aside, the game on Friday meant that we are under two weeks away from Opening Day and the Season Opener in Kansas City on March 27. Regarding the Friday game, Logan T. Allan got the start for the Guardians as he looked to build on his solid run at the complex in Arizona.

Before recapping the pitching performances, the main focus has to be on Will Brennan and Lane Thomas who were the biggest contributors to the Guardians’ 8-7 win.

Thomas got the Guardians rolling as he hit a much-needed three-run home run in the bottom of the 5th to cut the Mariners lead to two, making it a 5-3 game. Up until the Mariners’ five-run top of the 4th inning, it was a close game between the two sides. Thankfully, the Thomas home run gave the home side of life after five full innings.

After holding the Mariners scoreless in the top of the 6th inning, it was Chill Will tying the game with a clutch two-run homer to make it a 5-5 game. Brennan’s home run was his first of Spring Training which gives some hope to see him have a strong 2025 season. There has been some speculation that Brennan will enter the regular season to platoon right field with Jhonkensy Noel.

Brennan was not done making an impact as he would go deep with another long bomb in the bottom of the 8th inning. The Mariners would take the lead in the top half going up 6-5 before Brennan’s second home run of the game, a two-run shot, to give the Guardians the 7-6 lead. His 8th inning home run had an exit velo of 105 MPH according to Baseball Savant. Also, his 6th inning home run was .1 MPH faster coming in at 105.1. Just something to keep in mind. If there is a way to catch people’s attention, that will certainly do it.

Unfortunelty for the Guardians, the Mariners would tie it up again in the top of the ninth to make it a 7-7 game. There was not going to be an extra innings in this one because of the Guardians had their breakout game at 8 p.m. Eastern for the rare Spring Training double-header. However, that did not matter as the Guardians would walk it off in the bottom of the ninth as the Mariners gift wrapped the win with an error from the second baseman. In the end, the Guardians picked up their eighth win of the Spring, 8-7.

Now, lets turn it over to the pitching for the Guardians. Logan Allan went into th game with a .84 ERA, however, he would leave it with a 3.14 ERA after giving up four earned run (five total). He also allowed six hits over 3 ²⁄₃ innings of workwalking one and striking out three. Overall, not a terrible outing, but not one you want to have less than two weeks before the start of the season. However, it is Spring Training so there is no need to panic.

Tim Herrin came in and had a scoreless inning giving up no hits without striking out or walking anyone. Kolby Allard had a strong outing though, giving up only one run over three innings of work. Furthermore, he only gave up three hits while walking one, and striking out one. Bradley Hanner did blow the save but also picked up the win after the Guardians’ walk-off error.

All in all, not a bad game for the Guardians as Thomas goes one for three with a three RBIs and a home run. Brennan went two for four with two home runs and four RBIs. Other notable hitters:

– Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez went two for four each with both guys getting a run

– Noel goes two for two

– Daniel Schneemann went three for three with a run

The next game for the Guardians (8-12), after the Spring Breakout Game, will be on Saturday afternoon (March 15) against the Kansas City Royals (13-8) who will have a Split Squad game. It’ll be at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, AZ with first pitch being at 4:05 p.m. Eastern. Tristian McKenzie is the probable pitcher fo the Guardians. Kris Bubic will get the start for the Royals.