By Shannon Drayer

10:30 update: Felix threw a sim game on Field 3 and all went well. The difference between a sim game and a live BP is that while there are no fielders, runners still run bases and coaches determine what are hits and what are not. Felix threw 39 pitches and appeared to come away unscathed. Kelly Shoppach caught him and said everything looked good from his view. One bit of fun took place when Gaby Guerero hit a ball to center that may or may not have been a single. After Carl Willis called "runner on first" indicating a hit, Shoppach yelled "Great catch Guti!" Felix's next appearance should be in one of Thursday's games (split squad) most likely the one against the Rangers as the Mariners will most likely not want Felix to pitch against the A's who he will face on Opening Day.

Well apparently the Rangers didn't give up and quit baseball after falling 8-6 to the Mariners Friday because they have invited them over to their place today so they can try again. The Mariners of course are gracious enough to give them a shot.

Since that loss the Rangers have won a game to improve to 2-6-1. If they fail to make the Cactus League playoffs they will really regret not trying harder in that tie.

I have been here for all of three days and already it appears spring baseball is getting to me. I will say this. These games are fun to watch. I don't care if they mean anything or not, and again, in my experience good things in the spring are, "hey, that's neat!" and bad things are "uh oh." Be more concerned with what you don't see than with what you do. That said it is fun to see a game start and wonder when we will see our first home run.

The players are having fun with it too in the sense that everyone is in a good mood before and after games. Franklin Gutierrez made the comment yesterday when I interviewed him that he might want to slow down and save some for the regular season. So no more home runs I asked?

"Well, I'm not saying that," he laughed.

Of course not. Because home runs are fun. And it is good to see this team have fun.

Today's lineup will be great to watch. Almost all of the regulars are in the lineup plus Mike Zunino at DH. It will be the last game with the team for some time for Michael Saunders, Alex Liddi and Oliver Perez as they will leave for their WBC teams tomorrow. Fortunately they will not go far as all three teams are in the bracket that starts in Phoenix.

Mariners

Ackley 4

Bay 7

Morales 3

Morse 9

Saunders 8

Montero 2

Liddi 5

Zunino DH

Ryan 6

The Rangers going with more of a backup and futures lineup with an interesting DH...

Berkman DH

Kinsler 4

Murphy 7

Allen 3

Soto 2

Gentry 8

Beltre, not Adrian 9

Olt 5

Profar 6

Mariners and Rangers from Surprise can be heard on 710ESPN starting at 11:55.

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