Cano Continues Torrid Hitting – M’s Release Baker

Paul Konerko and Marcus Semien homered for the Chicago White Sox, who overcame Robinson Cano's four RBIs in a 7-6 win over the Seattle Mariners on Monday.

Semien hit a three-run drive as part of a five-run second inning. Konerko added a two-run shot to back Erik Johnson, who allowed three runs and four hits over six innings in his final start of the spring. Johnson struck out four and walked three.

Cano went 2 for 4 with a three-run double in the seventh. After bolting the Yankees for a $240 million, 10-year contract with Seattle, the All-Star second baseman is batting .465 this spring.

Semien, who showed promise during a September call-up last season, likely has a major league roster spot clinched. He could start the season opener at second base if Gordon Beckham isn't ready due to injury.

Meanwhile the Mariners have released pitcher Scott Baker.

The 32-year-old right-hander asked for his release after refusing an assignment to Triple-A Tacoma. The club made the move Monday.

Baker was 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in four spring training starts for Seattle, allowing nine earned runs and 16 hits in 12 innings.

Baker was in contention for a spot in the starting rotation, currently missing injured pitchers Hisashi Iwakuma and Taijuan Walker. Neither is expected to be ready for his first turn.

With ace Felix Hernandez the only certainty, the Mariners have right-handers Blake Beavan and Erasmo Ramirez and left-handers James Paxton, Roenis Elias and Randy Wolf in the mix for four available spots.

Baker spent his first six major league seasons with Minnesota and pitched briefly for the Chicago Cubs last year.