The Mariners piled up 16 more hits, three of them home runs, and were still beaten by the Australian World Baseball Classic team, 11-9.

Adrian Beltre, Franklin Gutierrez and Ronny Cedeno homered and the Mariners led 8-4 after four innings.

The Mariners relievers, however, had one long, tough night as the Australians beat up Miguel Batista, Roy Corcoran and Mark Lowe.

It was a game that didn't count in the Cactus League standings, but certainly didn't help Mariners pitching.

Afterward, manager Don Wakamatsu praised pitcher Garrett Olson, but said the rest of the group looked flat.

He was right.

After Miguel Batista failed to get through an inning and lost a 3-1 lead, the Mariners entered the third inning down, 4-3.

Adrian Beltre homered to tie the game.

Later in the third, Franklin Gutierrez - who'd dropped a sacrifice bunt in the second - hit a three-run home run.

Ronny Cedeno followed with a solo home run.

Granted, all this is coming against pitching that's not quite major league quality. But the Mariners are finding ways to score this spring - using little ball one inning, long ball the next.

This game won't show up in the Cactus League standings or in the official spring statistics. It is, however, another step down the path toward winning - something the Mariners wandered off last season.

The better you play, against any one, any time, the more confident the team gets. It's a long way from facing the Twins on opening day, but given the choice of winning of losing, which would you rather see?

After three: Seattle 8, Australia 4

It's a game that doesn't even count in the spring exhibition game standings, but there's plenty to see in the Seattle vs. Australia contest.

Outfielder Chris Snelling, now 27 and coming off 15 surgeries, is in righ field for Australia.

And George Brett - yes, THAT George Brett - is in the Australian dugout, in uniform. Turns out, he's a friend of another Aussie outfielder, Justin Huber.

Then, there's Griffey.
Playing in his first game, the Mariners designated hitter drew applause for walking into the on-deck circle. He drew more when he walked to the batters box.

How'd he look?

Junior took a strike from lefty Travis Blackley, another former Mariner. Then three consecutive balls, all low, and fouled a 3-1 pitch into the press box. Writers scattered like ducklings.

And on a 3-2 pitch, Junior walked. More applause.

Griffey and Yuniesky Betancourt advanced on a passed ball, and Adrian Beltre singled home a run - with Griffey held at third base and Beltre hustling into second.

Wladimir Balentine grounded out to end the threat.

After one: Seattle 1, Australia 0

Junior's next at-bat came in the third inning, after Mike Morse had doubled home one run, then scored on Ronny Cedeno's single.

With two out, Griffey hit the first pitch to the warning track in straightaway center field.

After a few weeks of workouts and a scheduled off day Tuesday, the Mariners play the Australian World Baseball Classic team tonight.

And, for the first time, Ken Griffey Jr. will play, as will Yuniesky Betancourt and - at third base - Adrian Beltre.

Here's your lineup:
Ronny Cedeno 2B
Yuniesky Betancourt SS
Ken Griffey Jr. DH
Adrian Beltre 3B
Russell Branyan 1B
Wladimir Balentien LF
Jeff Clement C
Mike Morse RF
Franklin Gutierrez CF
Garrett Olson P