Edwin Encarnacion scratched with stiff back; White Sox walk off Mariners

SOX 6, MARINERS 5

Encarnacion scratched

Designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion, 37, signed to a one-year, $12 million contract in the offseason, was scratched from his cleanup spot in the lineup with lower-back tightness.

“We did it out of precaution,” manager Rick Renteria said. “He said he felt it. He said he’s fine, but he wants to make sure he’s OK. It’s nothing anybody should concern themselves with.”

Encarnacion is hitless with three strikeouts in five plate appearances this spring.

Robert on display

Opening Day center fielder Luis Robert, who hasn’t played a major-league game, gave a small glimpse of what’s in store when he does, lining a double that made a loud thud on the left-field wall, striking out and fouling pitches off before drawing a walk. Robert’s speed was on display when he tripled Tuesday, and it was again against Seattle when he sprinted hard to the gap in deep right-center, although he came about a foot short of making a catch. Robert quickly got back on his feet and retrieved the ball at the wall.

Collins, Cuthbert go deep

Zack Collins threw out Connor Lien trying to steal in the seventh inning, then lined a home run into the Sox’ bullpen in the bottom of the inning. Cheslor Cuthbert, likely ticketed for Class AAA Charlotte but potentially vying for a spot as an extra infielder, made his third error at third base fielding. Then he homered to left.

Walk-off victory

Luis Gonzalez’s bases-loaded single in the ninth improved the Sox’ spring record to 3-2-1.

On deck

Indians at Sox, Glendale, 2:05 p.m. Friday, whitesox.com, 720-AM, Logan Allen vs. Alex McRae. Upcoming Sox starters: Saturday, Drew Anderson; Sunday, Bernardo Flores; Monday, Dallas Keuchel; Tuesday, Reynaldo Lopez; Wednesday, Dylan Cease.