Mariners Game Recap: M’s Hang King Felix Out to Dry on 4th of July

The Oakland A’s (38-46) edged the Seattle Mariners (37-44) on Saturday afternoon, winning 2-0 at the O.co Colosseum. The A’s now own a 2-1 series lead heading into the finale on Sunday. Felix Hernandez (10-5, 3.02 ERA) was his usual effective self today, but the M’s offense predictably let him down. Kendall Graveman (6-4, 3.16 ERA) earned his 6th win of the season after blanking the Mariners over 7 innings. Tyler Clippard notched his 15th save of the season.

Felix allowed 2 runs on 10 hits across 7 innings of work this afternoon. The 29-year-old right-hander fanned 6 A’s and walked 2. Despite issuing 2 free passes, his command was solid, as 64 of his 95 pitches found the strike zone. King Felix may not have dominated the A’s today, but he did more than enough to earn the win. Hernandez has never received the support from the Mariners’ bats he deserves, and this year is no different.

David Rollins was called up from Tacoma this morning, and he made his Major League debut this afternoon. The Rule 5 draftee sparkled this spring in Peoria, but a positive drug test led to a 50 game suspension. The Mariners had to call up Rollins today or else he would have been returned to the Houston Astros. Thankfully, he pitched well today, striking out 1 and hurling a perfect 8th inning. The 25-year-old southpaw has a big arm, and should be a nice reliever for Seattle going forward.

Jul 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics pitcher Kendall Graveman (31) prepares to deliver a pitch against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The A’s acquired Kendall Graveman from the Toronto Blue Jays this past offseason, and judging from today’s showing, Graveman has a bright future in the East Bay. The 24-year-old right-hander scattered 5 hits across 7 shutout frames for Oakland. He only struck out 1 Mariner, but he also only walked 1. Drew Pomeranz earned his 7th hold of the season after keeping Seattle off the scoreboard in the 8th. Tyler Clippard worked right through the heart of the M’s order to secure the Athletics’ win.

It is hard to pinpoint a Mariners’ hitter who stood out today, but Austin Jackson had another strong game at the plate. AJ went 1 for 4, and his double was the lone extra base hit for Seattle. Robinson Cano went 1 for 3 with a single and a walk. Kyle Seager went 0 for 3, but he had an amazing at bat in the 9th that resulted in a walk. The M’s went 0 for 4 as a team with runners in scoring position, and stranded 6 men on base. The Mariners’ offense is all or nothing this week, and unfortunately, today was nothing.

Ben Zobrist got the scoring started for Oakland in home half of the 1st inning. The super utility man singled home Billy Burns to give the A’s a 1-0 lead. Zobrist and Burns combined to double the A’s lead in the 7th, when Burns sprinted home from third base to score on a Zobrist sacrifice fly. Billy Burns went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and a stolen base today. Burns is hitting .320 this season, and he just looks like an Oakland A.

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Today’s loss hurts, as the Mariners now lead the A’s by just 1/2 a game for 4th place in the American League West. The M’s also missed a chance to gain ground on the division leading Houston Astros, and they remain 10 game back in the AL West. Seattle has slipped to 5.5 games back in the wildcard race.

The Seattle Mariners (37-44) will hope to split the 4-game series with the Oakland A’s (38-46) with a win Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:07 pm from the O.co Colosseum in the East Bay. Mike Montgomery (3-2, 1.62 ERA) has pitched back-to-back complete game shutouts for the M’s, and the young southpaw will get the ball in the series finale. Sonny Grey was originally expected to pitch for the Athletics, but Chris Bassitt (0-1, 2.87 ERA) is now projected to toe the rubber for Oakland tomorrow. Root Sports Northwest will carry the game locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.

Next: Mariners Interview: Author Michael Emmerich

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