Morse, Zunino hit Mariners to victory - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Courtesy Seattle Mariners

PEORIA, Ariz. – Right fielder Michael Morse hit two home runs, right-handed pitcher Brandon Maurer threw 4.0 scoreless innings and catcher Mike Zunino hit the game-winning home run to lead the Seattle Mariners to a 8-7 comeback victory over the Cincinnati Reds Thursday afternoon at Peoria Stadium.

The Mariners snapped their four-game losing streak to improve to 12-7 in Cactus League play. Seattle trailed 7-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning and proceeded to score seven unanswered runs en route to the victory.

Morse finished going 3-for-3 with 5 RBI, and with his two home runs is now tied for the spring training lead with five home runs with White Sox slugger Paul Konerko. Designated hitter Kendrys Morales (2x4, 2 R, RBI) and first baseman Justin Smoak (2x3, RBI) also tabbed multi-hit games.

Trailing 7-1, Morse almost single-handedly brought the Mariners back into the game hitting a two-run homer to center field in the fourth inning and capped a four-run fifth inning with a three-run blast to left field. Zunino broke the 7-7 tie with a home run to center field with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning for the eventual game-winner.

Maurer (2-1) earned the win with 4.0 scoreless innings. The right-hander allowed three hits, struck out four and walked two batters. Left-hander Oliver Perez recorded his first save of the spring with a perfect ninth inning. Starter Joe Saunders recorded a no-decision allowing nine hits, seven runs (5 ER) with two strikeouts.

The Mariners (12-7) have a pair of games scheduled for tomorrow, playing the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium (1:10 pm) in Cactus League play and hosting The Netherlands in a World Baseball Classic exhibition game tomorrow night (7:05 pm) at Peoria Stadium. The game vs. The Netherlands will be broadcast live on 710 ESPN Seattle with Rick Rizzs and Aaron Goldsmith calling the action. Right-hander Jeremy Bonderman (1-0, 9.00) is scheduled to start vs. the Angels and right-hander Jon Garland (1-0, 1.50) is slated to start the evening game vs. The Netherlands.