3/7 Cactus League Recap

The Kansas City Royals had been red hot this spring.  Kansas City had won 11 games in a row since tying their spring opener against Texas.  While most fans do not pay attention to spring baseball, those of us who do were wondering who would be responsible for handing the Royals their first loss, if anyone.

But I am not sure that any of us had Seattle in mind when we were making guesses, and I can assure you that no one would have imagined Mariners minor league prospect Stefen Romero going 4-5 at the plate with seven RBI to lead Seattle to the win.

Romero launched two bombs, a three run home run and then a grand slam to collect his seven RBI on Thursday.  Even more impressive is that Romero is a second baseman, a position not known to produce seven RBI games.

Romero is a 24-year old who went to college at Oregon State.  He had 10 at-bats for the Mariners in Spring Training during the 2012 season, collecting five hits.  Romero played 116 games in the minor leagues in 2012, launching 23 home runs and driving in 101 runs.  And if you think Romero is just a power hitter, you would be wrong, as Romero hit .352 last season and stole 12 bases in 17 attempts.

In just his third professional season, Romero could be found in the Mariners lineup later this season, but with Seattle having hopes of contending for a division title, do not expect to see him unless things go south for the team.  Romero should be competing for a starting job in 2014.


Scores from Thursday:

L.A. Angels 12, San Diego 3
Milwaukee 4, Arizona 3
Chicago White Sox 8, Chicago Cubs 3
Seattle (SS) 12, Kansas City 2
Oakland 7, Seattle (SS) 3
Cleveland 6, San Francisco 4


Notes from Thursday:
The Angels got three run home runs from Taylor Lindsey and Travis Witherspoon to go along with a two run shot from Chris Iannetta to rout the Padres, 12-3.  C.J. Wilson started for the Angels, pitching three innings and allowing one run on six hits.  San Diego got a 2-3 performance from Chase Headley and three innings from starting pitcher Freddy Garcia.  Garcia allowed three runs on three hits, including two home runs.  Garcia is now 0-2 on the spring with a 13.50 ERA.  Alex Gonzalez hit a two run home run, his first of the spring, and Khristopher Davis hit another, his third of the spring, as the Brewers squeaked by Arizona, 4-3.  Eric Chavez gave the Diamondbacks a two run home run of his own.  Wade Miley started for Arizona, throwing two scoreless innings and striking out two.  The White Sox got a two run home run from Adam Dunn and a pair of solo shots from Paul Konerko to get by their crosstown rival Cubs, 8-3.  Christian Villanueva had a two run shot for the Cubs in the loss.  Seattle, as mentioned above, got two home runs and seven RBI from Stefen Romero to go along with four RBI from Casper Wells in their 12-2 win over the Royals.  Wells went 2-5 at the plate, launching a three run shot and a double in the win.  Felix Hernandez pitching two innings for Seattle, allowing one run on two hits.  Guillermo Moscoso pitched the third inning for the Royals, giving up five runs on four hits and two walks.  Oakland got a two run home run from new infield candidate Jed Lowrie in their 7-3 win over a split squad Seattle team.  Robert Andino hit a solo home run for the Mariners in the loss.  And finally, Cleveland got big contributions from their new veterans, as Nick Swisher went 2-3 with a three run homer, his third of the spring, and Jason Giambi hit a solo home run, his first.  Ryan Raburn also contributed, going 2-2 at the plate with two RBI.  Ubaldo Jimenez pitched four innings allowing a run on three hits in the win over the Giants.  Hunter Pence and Brandon Belt each drove in two runs for the Giants in the loss.