Felix Shelled, Walker Promoted

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King Felix was very un-King-like. In the series finale Wednesday against the Texas Rangers, Felix pitched three innings (tied for 2nd-shortest outing of his career) and gave up nine runs, eight of them earned (the most in his career).

Felix only struck out two batters and allowed 11 hits. His ERA now stands at 2.97. It was 2.63 before this start (2nd in the AL) and was 2.30 five starts ago.

Felix is now 12-20 vs. Texas in his career and 0-4 this season. Adding more insult to injury, the Seattle Mariners were just swept out of their homestand. The first time in franchise history that the Mariners have gone winless on a homestand of more than four games. On a possible bright note, the Mariners hit the road to Kansas City and Houston.

Walker Joins the Club

The Mariners have promoted 21-year old pitching prospect Taijuan Walker to the majors, the team announced Wednesday night. Walker, one of the top-rated prospects in all of baseball will come to the big club to prepare for a shot at making the club out of Spring training next season.

Walker (6’4″) posted a 2.46 ERA through 14 starts at Double-A before coming up to Triple-A Tacoma. In Tacoma, Walker struck out an average of 10 per nine innings en route to a 5-3 record and a 3.61 ERA.

I’m a little surprised to see the Mariners bring him up now. I figured we wouldn’t see him in Seattle until next year at the earliest. But with the recent designation of Aaron Harang for assignment, the M’s have an open spot in the rotation. And it’s not like the M’s are fighting for a playoff spot. So, why not?