Nelson Cruz hits 2 homers in Rangers’ 8-1 victory over Mariners

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Cruz homers twice as Rangers rout Mariners

PEORIA, Ariz. — Nelson Cruz hit two home runs, and Josh Hamilton and Chris Davis also connected as the Texas Rangers scored eight times in the first six innings and cruised to an 8-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night.

The big news came earlier in the day when Texas manager Ron Washington acknowledged that he tested positive for cocaine last season.

“I made a huge mistake and it almost caused me to lose everything I have worked for all of my life,” Washington said at a news conference. “I am not here to make excuses. There are none.”

Washington said he used cocaine only once and called it “stupid” and “shameful.”

The failed test first was reported by SI.com.

Mariners pitcher Cliff Lee was also suspended for the first five regular-season games for throwing a pitch over the head of Arizona’s Chris Snyder on Monday.

The Mariners had only five hits and lost outfielder Milton Bradley when he was ejected after disputing a called third strike in the third inning. After taking a called strike from Texas’ Scott Feldman for the second out, Bradley placed the bat down and stayed in the box until he was tossed by plate umpire Dan Bellino.

Feldman, who came in with an 8.31 ERA this spring, walked the first two hitters on eight pitches, but quickly found a groove — allowing three hits and striking out four over four innings.

“Luckily, I got a little better feel after those first two hitters,” said Feldman, one of two candidates for the opening day start. “It’s not the way you want to start a game, but it wound up good. I don’t want to come out here and pitch bad. It feels good to get out of some trouble.”

Seattle scored its only run in the third inning when Jack Wilson doubled into the left-field corner off Feldman and scored on a single by Ichiro Suzuki.

It was the first night game for both teams, but the big news for each happened earlier in the day. Seattle starter Ian Snell struck out five over his four innings, but allowed six hits, including home runs to Cruz and Hamilton — a 430-foot-plus shot to the top of the grass seating in right-center field.

“Did that one come down yet?” Snell asked with smile. “I admired that one a little bit myself. (Hamilton) has a beautiful swing.”

NOTES: Hamilton is hitting .429 for the spring, but Cruz is even better at .448. … Mariners catcher Rob Johnson, trying to come back from double hip surgery, threw out Rangers leadoff man Julio Borbon at second base in the first inning. “He looks really good back there and he called a great game. Coming off all he’s gone through, he looks ready to go.” … Seattle closer David Aardsma had a rough outing, allowing four earned runs in one inning a double to Borbon and Cruz’s second home run. His spring ERA is 15.43 … Brandon League followed Aardsma to the mound and was greeted by Davis’ home run.