Don Slaught, a 6-foot, 180-pound catcher, survived...

Don Slaught, a 6-foot, 180-pound catcher, survived a bone-crushing collision with Paul Sorrento, the Mariners’ 6-2, 220-pound first baseman who tried to score on Dan Wilson’s single to center in the sixth inning but was blocked off the plate perfectly by Slaught. . . . Backup outfielder/first baseman Mike Aldrete was batting .162 when he lined a three-run homer to left to break an 8-8, seventh-inning tie Thursday. Is there time to compete for a roster spot? “I don’t know, I dug myself a pretty deep hole,” Aldrete said. Rex Hudler hit his third home run of the spring Thursday, a towering blast to left-center off Salomon Torres only one pitch after Torres had knocked him down. . . . Third baseman Jack Howell, who strained his left groin Monday, will be sidelined for at least another week, which will greatly reduce his chances of making the opening-day roster. . . . Jim Abbott, making his first start in eight days, gave up three runs on five hits, walked four and had two wild pitches Thursday, but he said there was no discomfort in his shoulder, which he said was sore after his last appearance.