PEORIA, Ariz. — The split-finger fastball left Bryce Miller’s fingertips awkwardly and started going toward the right-handed batter’s box where Ty France was awaiting a pitch that he could drive for his second hit in as many plate appearances.
Instead, the wayward pitch smacked France directly in the upper back.
France, who has been hit by 82 pitches over the past three seasons, shook his head and stared at his teammate in mock anger before jogging to first. The small group of fans watching the interaction on Field 2 of the Mariners complex, laughed at faux tension in the situation.
That “incident” was one of the handful of entertaining moments in the Mariners simulated game for Miller.
Instead of facing the Texas Rangers in Surprise, and letting the Rangers’ MLB hitters get an early look at Miller’s new split-finger fastball, the Mariners opted to have him pitch in simulated game since there were no minor-league spring-training games scheduled.
“I’m sure he’ll work all seven of his pitches that he has now into the outing,” Servais joked. “It will be good to give us a chance to look at some of the other guys in the A game and it’ll give the Rangers one less chance to look at Bryce Miller. So it’s a good deal.”
