SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Arizona’s Patrick Corbin gave up three runs and six hits in four innings in the Diamondbacks’ 3-3 tie with a Seattle Mariners split squad Monday night.
It was the next-to-last start for the 24-year-old left-hander before he takes the mound in Sydney, Australia, on March 22 in Arizona’s season opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Corbin settled down after giving up two runs in the second, striking out the side in the third before allowing a leadoff triple to Brad Miller in the fourth.
“I felt good,” Corbin said. “Just a couple of pitches here the second inning got out of it a little bit. But I feel like after the second inning, I was locating my fastball a lot better.”
Seattle’s James Paxton threw three scoreless innings, running his streak to seven to open the spring, before allowing a run in his fourth and final inning.
The 25-year-old Mariners right-hander gave up a run and five hits, striking out two and walking one. It was the first walk he’s given up this spring.
Paxton said it was good to come through when he wasn’t at his best.
“You have to be able to pitch without your best stuff,” he said, “because you’re going to be without your best stuff most of the time. You just have to bear down when you get yourself in tough spots.”
Corbin threw 75 pitches, 53 strikes. Manager Kirk Gibson says he expects Corbin to be around 100 pitches in his final spring outing against Cleveland on Saturday.
Corbin says he’s fine with the added work.
“The more I get out there the better I feel,” he said. “I wasn’t tired at all. I felt good.”
The Diamondbacks leave for Australia on Sunday after they play the Milwaukee Brewers.
STARTING TIME
Mariners: Paxton is a leading contender for the rotation and he didn’t diminish that prospect on Monday.
He threw 68 pitches, 40 strikes.
“I’d like to see him a little bit more efficient,” Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said. “The pitch count was up a little. But all in all I thought it was a good outing for him.”
Diamondbacks: Corbin seemed unconcerned about the results this spring. He’s allowed seven runs in 13 innings, but was strong at the end on Monday night.
“I thought he kind of sorted some things out as he got going,” Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said. “I think he had 38 pitches after two innings, then he finished up at five (innings) with 75. So overall he made some corrections and threw the ball pretty good at the end.”
TRAINING TABLE
Mariners: RHP Stephen Pryor threw live batting practice Monday, the first time he’s faced batters since undergoing surgery to repair a latissmus dorsi last August. … Robinson Cano returned from a four-day absence due to a root canal procedure and went 3-for-3 in Seattle’s 8-2 split squad loss to Kansas City earlier Monday. “Not a lot of pain, swollen a little bit,” Cano said. “Good to get it done and now I’m back with the guys.
Diamondbacks: RHP Bronson Arroyo says he felt much better in throwing long toss on Sunday and hopes to be able to pitch by Friday. Last Friday, Arroyo got an epidural injection for his sore back. He felt some discomfort throwing long toss Saturday, but says he felt much better on Sunday. Arroyo has never been on the DL in his pro career.
NEW DIAMONDBACK: Although it had been reported late last week by multiple sources, the Diamondbacks made it official Monday by announcing the signing of left-handed reliever Oliver Perez to a two-year, $4.25 million contract. The addition could be bad news for another lefty, Joe Thatcher. Although they won’t rule out having more than one lefty in the bullpen when the season starts, having just one seems a safer bet.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.