Cubs 9, Mariners (ss) 3

By Associated Press

Story

Summary

The Mariners dropped a 9-3 decision to the Chicago Cubs in Mesa in the day half of the split-squad pair of games. Cha Seung Baek took the loss and allowed seven hits and six runs in three innings of work.

Story Published: Mar 15, 2007 at 8:05 PM PST

Seattle Mariners' Kenji Johjima, from Japan, grounds out against the Chicago Cubs in the fifth inning.

MESA, Ariz. (AP) - Alfonso Soriano was all smiles Thursday about the prospect of being a regular in the Chicago Cubs' outfield.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella has said Soriano, who had a triple and two singles in a 9-3 win over a Seattle Mariners split squad, had all but proved he can be the everyday center fielder.

"That's good that the manager has confidence in the player," Soriano said before taking the field against the Mariners. "I feel very comfortable because I've worked to be a center fielder."

Soriano, a former infielder, played left field last season for the Washington Nationals. The Cubs signed him to an eight-year, $136 million contract with the hopes of playing him in right field.

However, Soriano brought up the possibility of center field during the Cubs' annual fan convention in January, which Piniella said he appreciated.

"I didn't approach him on it," Piniella said. "He mentioned it ... that he would like to play center field."

Piniella said Soriano has done well enough with the high skies that characterize spring baseball in Arizona.

"You know one good thing about this young man? He comes to the ballpark every day with a great disposition. He enjoys playing. He's getting his work in. He's going to hit, there's no question about that," Piniella said.

The Cubs scored three times in the first against Seattle starter Cha Seung Baek.

Soriano led off with a single to right-center, and he took third when Jacque Jones doubled down the left-field line. After Baek struck out Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez, Cliff Floyd smacked one over the wall in right for his first home run of the spring.

Floyd was making just his second start of the spring as the Cubs have been easing him back into action after he underwent surgery last October to remove a bone spur from his left heel.

The Mariners scored two runs against Cubs starter Ted Lilly in the second. An RBI single by Wladimir Balentien and a throwing error by Cubs shortstop Cesar Izturis accounted for the runs.

Ramirez hit his second homer of the spring, a two-run shot in the third inning against Baek, who pitched three innings, giving up seven hits and six runs. He struck out four and didn't walk anyone.

Lilly pitched 3 2-3 innings, giving up four hits and two runs, one earned. He walked one and struck out one.

Bryan LaHair was 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk for the Mariners.