Mariners dump Jamey Wright

PEORIA, Ariz., March 19 (UPI) -- Veteran righthander Jamey Wright has been released by the Seattle Mariners.

Wright gave up six runs, seven hits, and walked six in 4 1/3 innings Monday in a 10-8 loss to the Chicago Cubs. That raised his ERA to 8.35 in six spring appearances.

"We felt the fairest thing to do for Jamey was to give him an opportunity to catch on with another major league club," said Seattle General Manager Pat Gillick.

Wright, 28, was trying to win a job with Seattle after going 7-13 with a 3.98 ERA last season in 23 games, including 22 starts, with Milwaukee and St. Louis.

The seven-year veteran, who also has pitched for Colorado, is 50-67 with a 4.83 ERA in 174 games.