Felix Hernandez Outduels Jon Lester, Mariners Gaining Ground

Perhaps it was a preview of the American League Wild-Card game. Perhaps it was just another day game in Oakland. Whatever you want to call it, Felix Hernandez was back at it Wednesday, allowing only three hits and a solo home run in 8 IP as the Mariners took the rubber game from the A’s 2-1.

It was a one-run, low-scoring game. But it was also a home run derby as Adam Dunn homered off Felix in the 4th to give the A’s the 1-0 lead.

But the Mariners got back-to-back solo shots off Lester from Kyle Seager and Corey Hart in the 7th to take the 2-1 lead. Seager was 3-for-4 on the day and with his 22nd homer of the season, set a new personal season-high.

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Fernando Rodney came in to close it out for Felix and unlike last night, left the drama at home. Rodney set down Josh Reddick, Josh Donaldson and Dunn in order to earn his 41st save of the season.

With the win, Seattle moves to within 3.5 games of Oakland for second place in the AL West and for the first wild-card spot.

The Angels, who lost Wednesday, are 8 games up on the Mariners in the division. The Tigers hold a half game lead over the M’s for the second wild-card spot after losing to Cleveland Wednesday.

The Mariners now head to Texas for a four-game series with the Rangers.

BOX SCORE

Batting

Seattle


	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	K	LOB	AVG
Austin JacksonCF	4	0	0	0	0	1	2	.269
Chris DenorfiaLF	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	.204
Robinson Canó2B	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.321
Kendrys Morales1B	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	.224
Justin Smoak1B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.205
Kyle Seager3B	4	1	3	1	1	0	2	.278
Corey HartDH	4	1	1	1	1	2	1	.204
Mike ZuninoC	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	.199
Stefen RomeroRF	3	0	1	0	0	1	1	.199
James JonesPR-RF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.253
Chris TaylorSS	3	0	1	0	0	0	2	.311
Totals	34	2	8	2	2	6	9

Batting

2B – R Cano (31, J Lester); K Seager (27, J Lester); C Taylor (7, J Lester)

HR – K Seager (22, 7th inning off J Lester 0 on, 0 Out), C Hart (6, 7th inning off J Lester 0 on, 0 Out)

RBI – K Seager (85), C Hart (21)

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out – A Jackson 1, K Seager 1

GIDP – M Zunino

Team LOB – 5

Fielding

DP – 1 (M Zunino-C Taylor)

Oakland


	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	BB	K	LOB	AVG
Sam FuldCF-LF	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	.252
Josh ReddickRF	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	.249
Josh Donaldson3B	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.255
Adam DunnDH	4	1	1	1	1	0	2	1	.226
Brandon MossLF-1B	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.242
Jed LowrieSS	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	.239
Stephen Vogt1B	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	.303
Craig GentryCF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.258
Derek NorrisC	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	.273
Eric Sogard2B	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	.220
Totals	28	1	3	1	1	2	5	7

Batting

HR – A Dunn (22, 4th inning off F Hernandez 0 on, 1 Out)

S – E Sogard

RBI – A Dunn (58)

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out – J Reddick 1

Team LOB – 3

Running

CS – D Norris (2, 2nd base by F Hernandez/M Zunino)

Fielding

E – J Lowrie (12, throw)

Outfield assists – B Moss

DP – 1 (J Donaldson-E Sogard-B Moss)

Pitching

Seattle


	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	WHIP	ERA
Félix Hernández(W, 14-5)	8.0	3	1	1	2	4	1	0.90	2.18
Fernando Rodney(SV, 41)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1.29	2.51

Oakland


	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	WHIP	ERA
Jon Lester(L, 13-10)	8.0	7	2	2	0	5	2	1.10	2.54
Luke Gregerson	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0.98	2.36

Pitches-strikes – F Hernandez 102-63; F Rodney 8-6; J Lester 107-73; L Gregerson 11-8

Ground balls-fly balls – F Hernandez 11-7; F Rodney 1-1; J Lester 11-9; L Gregerson 2-0

Batters faced – F Hernandez 28; F Rodney 3; J Lester 31; L Gregerson 3

Game Details

Game Time: 2:20.

Umpires: HP–Dan Iassogna. 1B–Adam Hamari. 2B–Quinn Wolcott. 3B–CB Bucknor.

Weather: 67 degrees, Clear.

Wind: 6 mph, Out to Right.

Attendance: 17,073.