Guardians prospects Juan Brito and Petey Halpin homer, but Mariners win 8-7 on doubles

Mariners build early cushion with extra-base hits

The Cleveland Guardians dropped an 8-7 Cactus League game to the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Peoria Sports Complex in Arizona, in a back-and-forth matchup shaped by early Seattle damage and late Cleveland power.

Seattle’s offense leaned heavily on doubles. The Mariners opened scoring in the first inning with consecutive RBI doubles and continued to produce extra-base hits across the afternoon, repeatedly turning contact into runners in scoring position. Catcher Cal Raleigh was central to that approach, finishing with two doubles and driving in a key run that helped maintain separation as Cleveland rallied late.

Brito provides a midgame response for Cleveland

After the Guardians fell behind 4-0, switch-hitting infielder Juan Brito supplied a notable response in the fourth inning, launching a two-run home run to right field. The ball was tracked at 101.1 mph off the bat and traveled 415 feet, cutting the deficit and highlighting the type of impact contact Cleveland has been seeking from its younger hitters as roster decisions approach.

The game’s progression underscored a recurring spring theme: lineups change quickly, but individual at-bats still carry meaning for players competing for roles. Brito’s homer was one of Cleveland’s most efficient scoring swings, arriving with two outs and immediately narrowing the gap.

Halpin’s late homer tightens the game

Outfielder Petey Halpin delivered the Guardians’ second home run in the seventh inning, a three-run shot that pulled Cleveland within striking distance. The swing trimmed what had been a five-run Mariners advantage and shifted the game into a one-possession finish. Halpin’s homer came after Seattle had extended its lead with additional extra-base hits, including a sixth-inning triple that helped fuel another run-scoring sequence.

What the 8-7 result showed

• Seattle’s run production was driven by extra-base hits, especially doubles, which created scoring chances without extended rallies.
• Cleveland’s most impactful offense came via the long ball, with Brito and Halpin accounting for five runs on two swings.
• The late innings reflected spring training volatility, as both teams cycled through pitchers and reserves while the score tightened.

Spring training results are secondary to evaluation, but Thursday’s game offered clear snapshots of what translates: Seattle’s ability to stack doubles and Cleveland’s power from young hitters pressing for opportunities.

The Guardians continue Cactus League play with a focus on roster competition and workload buildup, while the Mariners’ extra-base-heavy win provided an early blueprint for how their lineup can pressure defenses even without sustained strings of singles.