MESA, Ariz. -- Mariners left-hander James Paxton has a confident air about him this spring, knowing what he's capable of doing at the Major League level. And it certainly didn't hurt to come out and overpower the defending World Series champion Cubs with five strikeouts in three innings in Thursday's 8-6 win at Sloan Park.
"Paxton was really the story of the day," manager Scott Servais said after his reserves rallied with four runs in the ninth to pull out the victory. "We swung the bats really well, but Paxton was really on top of his game against their 'A' lineup out there.