Jesus Montero, Michael Suanders and Carlos Peguero Power M's Past A's in Cactus League Opener

Players of the Day for Friday, March 2, 2012

Michael Saunders

Cactus League

Exhibition baseball officially got underway when the Seattle Mariners visited the Oakland A's at their Spring training facility in Phoenix, AZ, with Seattle taking the 8-5 win with five homers by five different players.

Jesus Montero

Starter Blake Bevin took the win, allowing four hits and one earned run over 2 1/3 innings. Catcher Jesus Montero, Michael Saunders and Carlos Peguero each hit two-run homers and the Mariners were up 5-1 after they batted in the fifth inning.

Carlos Peguero

Montero, a rookie, was acquired from the Yankees in the deal that sent Michael Pineda to New York. He hit .328 in 61 Yankee at-bats last season. Peguero, who is still technically a rookie, has been with the Mariners organization since 2010, but has toiled mostly in the minors. He batted .196 in 46 games with the Mariners in 2011. Center fielder Saunders is starting his fourth year with Seattle.

Luis Rodriguez and Johermyn Chavez added solo shots. All of Seattle's runs came via the long ball.

Manny Ramierez made his debut at DH for the A's, but came up empty in two at-bats, grounding into a double play and grounding out.

Cactus League Opens Today; Grapefruit League Starts Saturday

Today's the day!

At long last, there's going to be some live baseball, as the Cactus League opens with the Seattle Mariners playing at the Spring training home of the Oakland A's at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona. Game time is 3:05 ET (1:05 MT).

Blake Beavan will make Seattle's first Cactus League start, with Hector Noesi working Saturday against Oakland.

For the A's, right-hander Graham Godfrey goes up the bump. First pitch of spring training will be to Chone Figgins, the likely leadoff hitter for the Mariners.

The A's will bat Manny Ramirez in the cleanup slot as the DH. Manny can play all he likes during the Spring, but he'll miss the first 50 games of the regular season, having to sit out due to a suspension doled out last year for violating MLB's drug policy, which prompted the slugger to announce his retirement from baseball.

Ramirez was picked up during the off-season by the A's, who hope the all star outfielder can provide some pop.

Mariners outfielder Franklin Gutierrez will be out of the starting lineup. The Gold Glove center fielder won't resume baseball activity for at least a month after an MRI on February 29 revealed a partial tear of his right pectoral muscle.

Baseball on Deck will provide commentary and the season's first Player of the Day following the opener's conclusion.

Saturday marks the opening of the Grapefruit League in Florida, with five games on the slate. There are four Saturday games on tap in the Cactus League.

Grab Your Wetsuit and Hit the Beach

There's still a lot of winter left, even though for most Americans, it's been an unusually mild one. Record highs have been set on various days across the Northeast and Midwest, from Michigan to Maine to Memphis.

However, there's still a chill in the air, so there's plenty of time to head to the Gulf Coast or the Bahamas to take in a little sand, surf, scuba diving or snorkeling.

Besides bringing the shades and swimwear, other requisite items for a trip to the beach, island or coral cove would naturally include a wetsuit and probably gloves, fins, your boards and possibly a good supply of Red Bull.

Of course, the drinks are optional, but wetsuits come in a variety of styles and colors and can be purchased online at great prices, whether your passion is diving, surfing or wakeboarding.

A quality wetsuit will likely make you want to stay in the water longer, despite the cooler temperatures of Winter and early Spring surf. Not only that, but you'll be looking good when you emerge, too.

Key Dates for 2012 Season

Dates of Note for all ballplayers:

Feb. 12 - First voluntary spring training report date
March 2 -First spring training games
March 28 - Regular season opens: Japan
April 5 - Traditional Opening Day: US

This Sunday, the action begins with Spring Training in Florida and Arizona.

Are you ready for Spring and the Boys of Summer?