Vargas, Wood hit hard as Cubs beat Mariners 12-7

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Seattle starter Jason Vargas was pounded for seven runs and eight hits while getting just two outs, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Mariners 12-7 Monday.

Ichiro Suzuki, Jesus Montero and Kyle Seager homered for the Mariners, who tied the score 7-7 in the third against Travis Wood.

Preparing for next week’s major league opener in Tokyo against Oakland, the Mariners used a starting lineup of regulars.

Chicago sent 11 batters to the plate against Vargas, who is scheduled to pitch the second game of the season. He allowed three doubles and needed 40 pitches to get two outs.

Joe Mather hit a two-run single in the inning, and Darwin Barney single and doubled.

Wood pitched two innings and was chased two batters into the third. He allowed seven runs, seven hits and two walks.

Suzuki hit a two-run homer in the first, Chone Figgins had an RBI triple in a two-run second. Montero hit a two-run homer in the third and Seager followed with a solo shot that chased Wood.