Mariners Closer Competition heats up | Mariners.com
Three of the potential contenders worked during Seattle's 6-4 Cactus League victory over the Giants at Peoria Stadium. Right-hander Miguel Batista retired all six batters he faced, right-hander Roy Corcoran pitched a perfect inning and right-hander Randy Messenger, the camp surprise so far, pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up the save.Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu was especially pleased with Batista's accelerated tempo, saying, "It was better than we have seen in the past.
"I thought Messenger was a little more pumped up today and Corcoran got a little emotional out there. We're looking at things. This isn't a big pressure situation, but we want to see how they handle it."
Right-handers Mark Lowe, David Aardsma and Tracy Walker also are closer contenders. Lowe and Aardsma are scheduled to make their Cactus League debuts on Sunday against the Rangers, while Walker continues to mend from a leg injury.
"For the relievers, it's about tempo, being aggressive down in the zone and not nibbling as much as the starters," Wakamatsu said.
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