Taylor opened the score in the ballgame with a two-run single off of Merrill Kelly in the second inning. He has made a strong impression so far in his bid to land a bench spot on the M’s Opening Day roster, hitting ,.400 (6-for-15) with a homer, seven RBI and three stolen bases in Cactus League play.

The 26-year-old speedster entered the game as a defensive replacement in the fourth inning and struck out against Ryan Och in his first at-bat in the sixth. He atoned for that in the ninth though, crushing a solo shot (100.4 mph EV) off of Francis Pena that pulled the M’s to within three runs at 5-2. That would be as close as they would get. With a strong showing in Arizona, there’s a chance that Taylor could land a bench spot on the Mariners’ Opening Day roster.

Taylor was not claimed after being designated for assignment by the Mariners last Wednesday. The 26-year-old offers roster versatility, so it was a little surprising to see no team put in a claim even if the offensive upside is lacking.

Taylor gets booted off the 40-man roster with the Mariners acquiring Blake Hunt in a deal with the Orioles. Taylor offers roster versatility and speed, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if a team put a claim in for the 26-year-old, with a trade also possible.