Major League Baseball

Gutierrez, Cruz homer in Mariners' win over Rangers

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:49 p.m. ET

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PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) Franklin Gutierrez hit his team-leading fourth home run of spring training and Nelson Cruz homered against his former club, leading the Seattle Mariners to a 7-1 win over the split-squad Texas Rangers on Friday.

The Mariners scored four runs in the second inning, highlighted by Gutierrez's homer and a run-scoring single for another former Ranger, Leonys Martin. Martin also scored twice and stole two bases.

Nathan Karns allowed a run on three hits in 4 2/3 innings, striking out seven with three walks. He's trying to win the fifth spot in the Mariners' starting rotation over lefty James Paxton, who struggled in his most recent outing on Thursday.

Ian Desmond doubled in a run for the Rangers, who sent a split squad to San Antonio for a two-game series against the Kansas City Royals on Friday and Saturday. Most of the regulars remained in Arizona.