Mariners Game Recap: Felix Returns to Form in M’s Loss to DiamondBacks

Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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2. 62. Final. 1. 8

Felix Hernandez was vintage Felix and the Mariners offense was stymied by Arizona.

The Seattle Mariners (9-10-2) lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks (15-4) today in Peoria, Arizona. Felix Hernandez (0-1, 5.68 ERA) pitched well in his second start for Seattle this spring. Tyler Wagner (3-0, 4.50 ERA) earned the win for the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks.

Felix Hernandez was vintage tonight for the Mariners.  He allowed one run  and just 3 hits in 4 innings pitched.  His curve ball was filthy as he struck out 4 batters and allowed only one walk.  Felix lowered his spring ERA from 11.57 to 5.68 today.  In just his second outing of the spring, Felix was masterful.  The lone run Felix allowed was on a ground ball out to Robinson Cano from Evan Marzilli to score Peter O’Brien in the second inning.

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Mike Montgomery took over for the King in the 5th inning. With one out he would give up a triple to Socrates Brito and he would score on a ground ball out by Nick Ahmed to Ketel Marte.  This run tied the game at 2 so Montgomery was credited with a blown save.

Blake Parker would start the sixth inning but would not be able to finish it as the Diamondbacks would score two runs to hand Parker the loss.  He would walk Zach Borenstein and with two outs would give up a single to Brett Hayes and a two run triple to Evan Marzilli.  This gave the Diamondbacks the four runs they would need to win the game.  Vidal Nuno would come in to finish the sixth inning for Parker.  Nuno would pitch a scoreless seventh inning as well.  Dan Altavilla pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning and Joel Peralta a quiet, scoreless ninth inning.

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Tyler Wagner allowed two runs, one walk and four strikeouts in five innings for the Diamondbacks.  Efren Navarro, the former Angel provided all the Mariners offense today. He plated the first Mariners run with a comeback to the pitcher in the bottom of the second to score Adam Lind.  Then Navarro homered off of Wagner in the fourth inning to temporarily give the Mariners their only lead of the evening 2-1.

The remaining Diamondbacks pitchers would not allow a run the rest of the night.  Scott Rice recorded a walk and was pulled.  Josh Collmenter pitched two scoreless innings while giving up two hits and Kaleb Fleck held the Mariners scoreless in the eighth.  Enrique Burgos would close the door in the ninth for his second save of the spring by striking out the side.

Ed Lucas had his best game of the spring offensively for the Mariners as he broke out with three hits on the night to go 3 for 4.

But the story of this game is similar to most of Felix’s starts in previous years.  Felix allows one run, and the offense can’t get going.  Let’s hope this is not a sign of things to come.

Next: Updating the M’s Utility Infielder Position Battle

The Seattle Mariners (9-10-2) will host the Cleveland Indians (8-10) at 1:10 pm in Peoria, Arizona. Wade Miley (0-0, 5.40 ERA) will get the ball for the Mariners against Cleveland, and TJ House (0-1, 9.53 ERA) will be on the hill for Cleveland.  Seattle’s game against Cleveland will be broadcast live on Root Sports Northwest, Radio ESPN 710 and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.