Mariners Release Spiezio

MINNEAPOLIS — The Seattle Mariners released slumping first baseman Scott Spiezio on Friday night.

Relegated to a reserve role in his second season with the Mariners, the 31-year-old Spiezio was batting .064 (three for 47) with one homer and one run batted in. His ninth-inning single Thursday ended an 0-for-23 slump.

“I thought it might happen earlier,” said Spiezio, who requested a trade before the season. “I knew [manager Mike Hargrove] liked to play his guys and it was going to be hard to get at-bats.”

Spiezio signed a $9.15 million, three-year contract with Seattle before the 2004 season. He spent the previous four years with the Angels, playing key role in their 2002 World Series win.