Griffey stays on tear in M's return

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) -- Ken Griffey is still trying to get comfortable playing left field for the Mariners. At the plate, baseball's active home run leader looks just fine.

Griffey doubled twice and drove in two runs after nearly getting hit in the head by a fly ball during Seattle's 7-7 tie with the Texas Rangers in 10 innings.

After going 2-for-17 to start spring training, the 39-year-old Griffey is 4-for-8 with a home run, two doubles, four RBIs and three walks over his past three games.

"Griffey has more spring in his legs, more spring in his bat," Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu said. "His bat is coming around and he's making solid contact."

Griffey had an adventurous day in the outfield. He lost Jarrod Saltalamacchia's second-inning fly ball in the sun as he was near the warning track. The ball hit hard off the track next to Griffey and bounced over the wall for a ground-rule double.

"It went up and stayed in the sun and stayed there and stayed there," Griffey said. "If I had gotten hit in the head it probably would have evened up the playing field for the gentlemen who are not as handsome as I am. I didn't want it so my wife wouldn't recognize me."

Mariners lefty Jarrod Washburn allowed three runs and eight hits over six innings in his longest Cactus League outing.

Nelson Cruz hit a three-run homer for Texas. Rangers third baseman Michael Young left in the second inning after aggravating his left quadriceps injury. Young singled in the first and felt a twinge when he tried to run out of the batter's box.

"After he got that base hit he just felt like it still wasn't right yet," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "We think it'll be day to day. We'll try again tomorrow."

Phillies 7, Blue Jays 6

At Dunedin, Fla., Chase Utley hit his first home run since hip surgery, a two-run shot off closer B.J. Ryan, and drove in three runs.

Chan Ho Park gave up three runs and four hits in four innings. He struck out seven and walked one. The veteran right-hander is competing with 26-year-old lefty J.A. Happ for the final spot in Philadelphia's rotation.

Cubs 9, Rockies 8

At Mesa, Ariz., Chad Gaudin allowed two runs and two hits in two innings for the Cubs in his first spring outing since last Wednesday. The right-hander is transitioning to the bullpen after falling out of the competition for the fifth starter spot.

Giants 7, Diamondbacks 3

At Tucson, Ariz., Eric Byrnes had two singles, giving him five straight hits after going 0-for-3 in his first game since being sidelined June 30 because of a hamstring injury. He ended the streak with a strikeout in his last at-bat.

Indians 2, White Sox 2, 10 innings

At Goodyear, Ariz., Fausto Carmona showed no adverse effects of being hit in the arm by a line drive last week, pitching five scoreless innings for Cleveland.

Twins 8, Marlins 1

At Jupiter, Fla., Twins right-hander Kevin Slowey allowed one run and two hits over five innings and helped his cause with two hits and three RBIs.

Nationals 3, Orioles 1

At Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Koji Uehara showed no ill effects from a left hamstring strain that had kept him out of Grapefruit League play since March 9. He struck out seven in 3 2-3 innings, allowing a run and three hits without issuing a walk.

Astros 8, Mets 0

At Kissimmee, Fla., new catcher Ivan Rodriguez homered for the Astros in their fifth straight victory. Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez pitched four scoreless innings.

Mets starter Mike Pelfrey gave up six runs and 10 hits in 4 2-3 innings, after allowing just one run in his previous 10 innings.

Angels 10, Padres 5

At Tempe, Ariz., Gary Matthews Jr. hit a long home run off starter Cha Seung Baek and went 2-for-3, boosting his batting average to .412. Matthews is trying to secure playing time in the Angels' crowded outfield.

Pirates 5, Braves 3

At Kissimmee, Fla., Brian McCann, who batted .333 for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, had singles in his first two at-bats as he returned to the Braves' lineup.

Pirates starter Ross Ohlendorf allowed five hits and no walks in six scoreless innings. The right-hander is in a three-way competition for the final two spots in Pittsburgh's rotation.

Yankees 7, Red Sox 1

At Tampa, Fla., knuckleballer Tim Wakefield allowed one run over 5 2-3 innings against New York's projected opening-day lineup. He struck out five and walked one. Yankees right-hander A.J. Burnett also yielded one run in 5 2-3 innings.

Royals 8, Athletics 3

At Surprise, Ariz., Mike Aviles hit a grand slam in the third inning and drove in five runs. Royals right-hander Zack Greinke struck out eight in five innings and allowed three runs.

After the game, manager Trey Hillman said Gil Meche would start the April 6 opener at Chicago, while Greinke would start the second game.

Mariners (ss) 8, Dodgers 6

At Phoenix, Manny Ramirez hit his first home run of the spring -- one of three the Dodgers hit while building an early lead.

But Los Angeles closer Jonathan Broxton gave up four runs in the ninth inning as Endy Chavez capped a 4-for-5 night with a two-run double.

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