Despite not having several of their best players due to the World Baseball Classic, the Mariners still showed a lot of good against the Angels
PEORIA, Ariz. — The Seattle Mariners, sans its 2026 World Baseball Classic participants, were unable to hold onto a two-run lead in the ninth inning and fell 7-6 to the Los Angeles Angels in a Cactus League game on Tuesday at the Peoria Sports Complex.
Despite the Mariners coming out on the losing end against their American League West rivals and not having several of their best players, there were still several positives to take away from Sunday's loss.
Can Bryan Woo's secondaries sweep the majors?
Seattle's only All-Star from the starting rotation last season, Bryan Woo, got the start against Los Angeles.
Woo struck out four batters in 2.1 innings of work, walked one and allowed two earned runs on two hits. He was dinged for both runs after reliever Michael Rucker allowed gave up scoring knocks to runners he inherited.
Woo threw 48 pitches in his outing, 13 of which were sweepers. It was his most-offered pitch Tuesday aside from his tried and true four-seam fastball — which he threw 21 times.
The fourth-year right-hander didn't have the best command over the sweeper. However, he did land five for strikes, four of which were whiffs, which highlighted its potential.
"Yeah, it was OK," Woo said after his start Sunday. "I think I would like to execute a little bit better with two strikes with it. But that's a big part of spring training, is just getting all your stuff in the right spot, know what you're gonna get out of them. That includes location, (velocity), shapes, all that stuff. Kind of just all cleans up as time goes on."
Cole Wilcox making a case for final bullpen spot
There might end up being just one spot on the major league bullpen open for this upcoming season.
If there is, Cole Wilcox is making a strong case it should be his.
Wilcox retired the side in order in the top of the fifth inning and struck out Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe.
The 26-year-old right-hander, whom the Mariners acquired for cash from the Tampa Bay Rays on Nov. 5, is yet to allow a run and has fanned four batters across three innings in three appearances this spring. He's allowed one hit and issued one walk.
Brennen Davis, Patrick Wisdom continue solid springs
There may not be a bigger surprise in Cactus League competition for Seattle than outfielder Brennen Davis.
After the Mariners' loss against Los Angeles, Davis, a former top 100 prospect, boasts a slash line this spring of .571/.647/1.286 with a 1.933 OPS. He's hit four doubles and two home runs with four RBIs across seven games.
Davis went 1-for-1 against the Angels, and that hit was a 110.9-mile per hour single.
Corner infielder Patrick Wisdom's numbers don't jump off the screen like Davis' (slash line of .231/.231/.462) but his game against Los Angeles was his best this spring.
Wisdom went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs. Two of his RBIs came via a single in the bottom of the fifth that gave the M's a 5-4 lead.
"I thought Wisdom (had) a big day," M's manager Dan Wilson said after the game. " ... Some good things offensively."
Other notes
- Ryan Bliss hit a double off the center field wall in the bottom of the fourth. It was his first hit in a Mariners uniform since he tore his left biceps in a game against the Houston Astros on April 8, 2025. His lone hit in that game was also a double off the outfield wall.
- Domingo Gonzalez had his best outing of the spring so far against Los Angeles. He retired the side in order in the seventh inning and had two strikeouts.
Up next
Seattle will next be in action against the San Francisco Giants at 6:05 p.m. PT on Wednesday at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Ariz.
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