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Cano makes home debut for Mariners in opener with Angels

Apr 8, 2014 - 2:50 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Robinson Cano makes his home debut on Tuesday when the Seattle Mariners return to Safeco Field for the first of two games with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

After spending his first nine years in New York with the Yankees, Cano signed the richest contract in Seattle history this offseason, agreeing to a 10-year, $240 million deal.

"Not just the game in Seattle, but it's emotional for me," Cano said. "I'm very emotional and happy, because I'm starting with a new team for a long time and a new time in my career."

Cano, who is hitting .391 with a pair of RBI thus far. wont be the only new face in Seattle on Tuesday, as new manager Lloyd McClendon will be introduced to the Mariners crowd after leading his team to four wins in their first six games.

"I hope the players have created some excitement and I know they're hoping that the fans are excited," McClendon said. "These guys play hard and they try hard. Listen, I don't know how many wins we're going to have but I know we're going to have a pretty good team. I've got butterflies every day. I'm happy for my players."

One player who should get a nice ovation on Tuesday will be 25-year-old lefty James Paxton, who was brilliant his first time out. Paxton went 3-0 in four starts last season and picked up right where he left off on Wednesday against the Angels, holding them to just two hits over seven scoreless innings.

"I'm just keeping my plan the same," said Paxton, who also struck out nine in the win over the Halos. "If I see them start to make adjustments on me, that's when I have to adjust also. It's just going to be a bit of a chess match to see what happens and see where I have to go with how I'm pitching."

Opposing Paxton will be the same pitcher who faced him last week, lefty Hector Santiago, who was on the wrong end of that one, surrendering four runs and seven hits in five innings.

Los Angeles, though, has won three of four since a season-opening sweep at the hands of the Mariners. On Monday, Kole Calhoun homered and scored three runs to propel the Angels past the Houston Astros, 9-1.

Raul Ibanez and Howie Kendrick each drove in three runs, while Josh Hamilton reached base in all five of his at-bats, doing so on a fielding error, a single, and three walks.

"I think Josh is getting into good counts for the most part. Some of those at- bats have led to walks. Some have led to him to getting better pitches to hit," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia on Hamilton's performance at the plate.

C.J. Wilson (1-1) pitched a strong eight innings, surrendering only one run on four hits with seven strikeouts and a walk. Ernesto Frieri came on to pitch the ninth and retired the side in order to ensure the win.