Angels lose to Mariners, 5-3

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The first at-bat went well for the Angels.

Robinson Cano, the Seattle Mariners’ $240-million man, could haunt the Angels this season. On Saturday, facing the Angels for the first time in a Seattle uniform, Cano struck out against C.J. Wilson.

The next two at-bats did not go as well for the Angels, and neither did the game. Cano singled in two other at-bats, driving in one run and scoring another, in the Mariners’ 5-3 victory over the Angels.

The game was called in the bottom of the seventh inning because of rain -- lots of it.

In a game in which the Angels’ lineup included one regular -- outfielder Kole Calhoun -- the Angels got two of their seven hits from utility infielder Grant Green.

Wilson worked two-plus innings, facing one batter in the third. The Angels, in trying to avoid the awful Aprils that have plagued them in each of the last two seasons, have asked their starting pitchers to work into the third inning in their first start of the spring.

Wilson gave up three runs on three hits and one walk. He struck out four, including the side in the first inning.

Cano has a .367 average in his career against Wilson. In his only at-bat against the veteran left-hander on Saturday, he struck out.

“It’s a good challenge,” Wilson said. “Robbie is one of the best hitters in baseball.”

Wilson said he was satisfied just to keep Cano from hitting a home run. In 30 career at-bats against Wilson, Cano never has homered.

“It’s like [Mike] Trout,” Wilson said. “If he hits a single against you and doesn’t steal second base, it’s a victory.”

At one point, Wilson said, Cano jokingly asked that the pitcher take it easy on him.

“I threw him a fastball down the middle, 2 and 0,” Wilson said. “He fouled it off.”

The Angels face the Oakland Athletics on Sunday, with newcomer Hector Santiago scheduled to make his Cactus League debut.