Mariners take beating the Angels seriously

PEORIA, Ariz. -- There is no such thing as a meaningful victory in spring training, certainly not in the first week of March.

Or is there?

Seattle Manager John McLaren thought so, enlisting his ace starter, his All-Star closer and most of his starting lineup in Wednesday’s 6-5 victory over the Angels.

“They’ve beaten us like a drum the last couple years,” McLaren said. “We just want to shake hands after a game. We did. It felt good.”

McLaren said he wanted to send a message about the priority of beating the Angels, at least to his players. The winning team shakes hands on the field, and the Angels beat the Mariners 13 of 19 times last year, including a three-game sweep in Seattle that all but knocked the Mariners out of the American League West race.

The Angels’ Torii Hunter laughed off the idea that an exhibition game could send a message about the future of the division.

“It’s spring training,” Hunter said. “We’re veterans. We’re just doing our thing.”

The Mariners collected 13 hits against five Angels pitchers, none of whom are expected to make the team.

The Angels scored one run in three innings off Erik Bedard, the ace that cost Seattle five players in a trade, two runs in one inning off All-Star closer J.J. Putz, and one run in the ninth inning off setup man Brandon Morrow.

The Angels also fielded a varsity lineup, but Manager Mike Scioscia said that decision resulted from most starters needing to play after skipping Tuesday’s trip to Tucson, not from any need for them to get a closer look at Bedard, or to beat the Mariners.

“This is about us getting our work in and getting to where we need to be, not about anything else,” Scioscia said. “You always try to win a baseball game, but there are things you’re trying to achieve that are more important than the bottom line right now.”

On the run

Second baseman Howie Kendrick stole five bases last season, and he was caught four times. But he stole three in his first four spring games, without getting caught, and Scioscia said Kendrick has the ability to steal between 20 and 30 bases this year.

Kendrick said he has worked on getting better jumps and quicker starts, putting into practice what he learned from watching teammates Orlando Cabrera, Chone Figgins and Reggie Willits.

“If I can stay healthy, I would love to steal 20 bases,” Kendrick said. “I want to help guys drive me in as well as me driving them in.”

Hit parade

Kendrick, Hunter and Robb Quinlan each had two hits, with Kendrick and Quinlan delivering run-scoring hits off Putz and Hunter contributing a double and triple. In 10 at-bats, Hunter has eight hits, all but one for extra bases. . . . Nick Adenhart, the Angels’ top pitching prospect, faced 15 batters and retired seven. “He was behind too many hitters,” Scioscia said. “He showed the stuff we’re all excited about.” . . . Reliever Chris Bootcheck is not expected to return until mid-April after straining an oblique muscle. “It’s not my arm. It’s not my shoulder. It’s not my elbow,” Bootcheck said. “There’s a lot of positives.” . . . The Ducks’ broadcasts have bumped the Angels from 830 during spring training weekends, but once the season starts the Angels’ broadcasts will take priority. When the teams play at the same time, the Ducks will move to another station.

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bill.shaikin@latimes.com

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