Mariners’ Marco Gonzales sharper in second spring training start

Marco Gonzales didn’t put too much importance on the results of his first spring training outing Monday — but it wasn’t exactly the start he was looking for either.

He managed just two outs in the first inning against the Cubs before walking off having allowed five runs on three hits — including a three-run homer Josh Phegley clobbered to straightaway center — and two walks.

This early in the spring, an outing like that isn’t really cause for concern, especially for the steady left-hander who is projected to be the Seattle Mariners’ Opening Day starter for the second consecutive season.

But, he got right back to work, ironed out some kinks in his pitch execution, and finished his second start Saturday with much more familiar results.

“I was way more efficient,” Gonzales said. “I think I threw about as many pitches as I did the other day in three innings, so it’s a good day.”

Gonzales swiftly worked through three scoreless frames against the Royals at Peoria Stadium — the Mariners eventually lost 9-6

— faced 10 batters and retired the final nine in order. The only hit he allowed was a leadoff double in the first, he didn’t walk anyone and threw a first-pitch strike to every batter.

“That’s my entire game is I’ve got to pitch ahead in the count,” Gonzales said. “First-pitch curveballs 0-0 I felt were a lot better today, so just giving myself a chance to be ahead and work from there. ... Much better today.”

“He got his curveball going,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “Didn’t have that last time out, so that was a good sign there. ... That is Marco. He’s got to get all of his pitches working. I thought he was getting down the mound better, had better finish to his pitches today.

“That’s key for him, he’s got to locate.”

Gonzales was Saturday, throwing 22 of his 30 pitches for strikes and retiring all but one of the batters he faced in four pitches or less.

“When he is in control like that — I think he threw 30 pitches today in three innings, very efficient — that’s how you put up 200-inning seasons,” Servais said. “Marco’s getting after it early and they’ve got to swing the bat early.”

Gonzales said he had a more focused pregame routine Saturday, and was more compact in his delivery, which helped him feel more comfortable on the mound from his first pitch.

“I think just tried to be more cognizant and more aware of the time (pregame),” he said. “I think my last start, it’s kind of, ‘Let’s get our feet wet, let’s go out there and toss a little bit.’ But, today I felt I treated it a little bit more like a regular start today, and just was more aware of what I was doing for sure.

“For me it’s just about being intentional. And not like I wasn’t being intentional my last start, but there’s certainly another level of getting back into your routine where that focus is a little bit higher each time out.”

Gonzales, who signed a four-year extension with the Mariners earlier this month and is a central figure in Seattle’s rebuild, maps out for about three more Cactus League starts before the club returns home for Opening Day against Texas on March 26.

This story was originally published February 29, 2020 at 3:52 PM.

Lauren Smith

The News Tribune

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Lauren Smith is a sports reporter at The News Tribune. She has covered high school sports for TNT and The Olympian, as well as the Seattle Mariners and Washington Huskies. She is a graduate of UW and Emerald Ridge High School.