The Japanese fans missed quite a show when the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners played Tuesday.

Instead of opening the season in Tokyo, the two teams slugged it out in an exhibition game in Peoria, Ariz., with the A’s beating the Mariners, 25-10.

Eric Chavez hit one of Oakland’s seven home runs and the Athletics had 31 hits.

The teams originally were scheduled to play their season opener Tuesday at the Tokyo Dome, but the trip was called off because of the war in Iraq. The result would likely have been very different if this game had counted.

Instead of a matchup of aces, the A’s sent Ted Lilly out to face Gil Meche.

Elsewhere, Kenny Rogers held Cincinnati’s slumping offense to two hits in five innings in his debut for Minnesota, leading the Twins to a 2-1 victory over the Reds.

Rogers signed a $2 million, one-year contract March 13 and had a spot in the rotation reserved. The left-hander pitched in two minor-league games before appearing with the Twins for the first time Tuesday.

“I know that was something that was needed,” he said. “Not that the other work is not quality, but it’s not the same. When you get into a ‘A’ game, you get the extra adrenaline and nervousness.”

Rogers held Cincinnati to a pair of singles and two walks in five innings, striking out two.

Also Tuesday, the New York Yankees said they expected closer Mariano Rivera to start the season on the disabled list while Texas’ Alex Rodriguez took a big step to returning to the Rangers’ lineup.

Rodriguez has a small disc herniation in his neck, but reported no pain after playing seven innings at shortstop in a minor-league game. He batted each inning, going 2-for-8 with a two-run homer, single and three RBIs.

Giants 10, Brewers 6

At Phoenix, Barry Bonds hit two more homers, giving him nine for the spring.

Angels 5, Rockies 5, 11 innings

At Tucson, Ariz., Jarrod Washburn threw five solid innings in his second spring start.

Expos 2, Marlins 1

At Jupiter, Fla., Tomo Ohka gave up three hits in five innings in his first impressive start of the spring.

Tigers 3, Braves 3, 10 innings

At Lakeland, Fla., Hiram Bocachica went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs as Detroit tied Atlanta.

Pirates 3, Red Sox 0

At Bradenton, Fla., Jeff Suppan pitched six shutout innings for Pittsburgh.

Astros 7, Indians 6

At Winter Haven, Fla., Jeff Kent had an RBI single.

Cardinals 5, Orioles 0

At Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Brett Tomko pitched six innings of five-hit ball.

Diamondbacks 7, Rangers 4

At Tucson, Ariz., rookie John Patterson boosted his chances of making Arizona’s starting rotation by allowing one run in six innings.