Good Morning San Diego: Padres get two two-run homers, beat Mariners; Arms race heats up

Jackson Merrill and Nick Schnell each hit two-run home runs to help the San Diego Padres get a 7-1 win over the Seattle Mariners at the Peoria Sports Complex on Saturday. The Padres avenged the loss to the Mariners in the Cactus League opener. JP Sears had a strong bounce back performance, lasting three innings, allowing one run with one walk and one strikeout. The San Diego bullpen was dominant and allowed just one hit over the final six innings of the game. The Padres play the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale, Ariz. today at 12:05 p.m.

Padres News:

• Sung-Mun Song is ready and willing to fill whatever need the Padres have for him, which could result in him playing the role of super utility player. Song has had a strong showing with his glove this spring and has recently recorded a couple of hits as he adjusts to MLB pitching.
• San Diego pitching coach Ruben Niebla spoke with the media on Saturday and talked about the competitions for the final spot or spots in the rotation and the final spot or spots in the bullpen. There are several talented arms in camp and Niebla and the other decision makers within the organization will have the difficult task of deciding who makes the team and who does not.
• Walker Buehler pitched to members of a KBO team at the Padres’ Spring Training facility and had a successful outing, which could mean we will see him on the mound for the Padres in the near future.
• The Friar Faithful have said they are overwhelmingly rooting for Walker Buehler to make the rotation. He has yet to play in a Cactus League game but has been pitching on the backfields.

Baseball News:

• The Kansas City Royals and free agent outfielder Starling Marte agreed to a deal on Saturday that will see him suit up for the Royals in 2026.
• Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Xavier Isaac returned to MLB action after recovering from brain surgery.
• The New York Yankees agreed to a deal with free agent Cody Bellinger this offseason and he is already taking time off the field. Bellinger was held out of the Yankees game due to back discomfort.
• Kyle Stowers of the Miami Marlins is expected to miss one to two weeks with a right hamstring strain.