%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20827.4%20200%22%20style%3D%22enable-background%3Anew%200%200%20827.4%20200%3B%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cstyle%20type%3D%22text%2Fcss%22%3E%0A%09.st0%7Bfill%3A%23231F20%3B%7D%0A%09.st1%7Bfill%3A%230C2C56%3B%7D%0A%09.st2%7Bfill%3A%234D4D4D%3B%7D%0A%09.st3%7Bfill%3A%23FFFFFF%3B%7D%0A%09.st4%7Bfill%3A%230F9AA3%3B%7D%0A%09.st5%7Bfill%3A%23001C43%3B%7D%0A%3C%2Fstyle%3E%0A%3Cg%20id%3D%22Template%22%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3Cg%20id%3D%22Layer_2%22%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st3%22%20d%3D%22M70.4%2C94.8C63.3%2C90%2C55%2C87%2C45.3%2C85.7c-7.7-1-11.8-3.1-13.1-4.7c-0.6-0.7-1.6-1.9%2C0.3-5.3%0A%09%09c1.9-3.2%2C7.7-3.9%2C12.2-3.9c5.1%2C0%2C8.9%2C1.2%2C12.6%2C3.8c4.3%2C3.1%2C9.5%2C2.9%2C13-0.7l5.1-5.1c2.1-2.1%2C3.2-4.9%2C3.1-7.7%0A%09%09c-0.1-2.8-1.4-5.3-3.7-7.2c-3.6-2.8-6.9-4.8-10.6-6.4c-5.9-2.5-13.8-3.7-23.5-3.7c-9.1%2C0-17.9%2C3-26.2%2C8.9%0A%09%09c-8.7%2C6.3-13.2%2C14.7-13.2%2C25c0%2C11.6%2C4.1%2C19.8%2C12.1%2C24.7c7.2%2C4.3%2C15.3%2C7%2C24%2C8c9.6%2C0.9%2C12.9%2C3.3%2C14%2C5.2c1.5%2C2.6%2C1.5%2C4.9%2C0%2C7.5%0A%09%09c-1.6%2C2.7-6.5%2C4.1-13.3%2C3.8c-6.9-0.3-12.3-2-16.9-5.3c-4.3-3.1-9.5-2.8-12.9%2C0.7l-5.2%2C5.1c-2.2%2C2.2-3.3%2C5-3.1%2C7.9%0A%09%09c0.2%2C2.8%2C1.6%2C5.4%2C4%2C7.2c3.7%2C2.9%2C7.4%2C5%2C12%2C7c6.8%2C2.9%2C15.3%2C4.4%2C25.4%2C4.4c10.8%2C0%2C20.4-3.3%2C28.6-9.8c8.5-6.6%2C12.8-14.7%2C12.8-24.1%0A%09%09C82.7%2C109.1%2C78.5%2C100.3%2C70.4%2C94.8z%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st3%22%20d%3D%22M142.6%2C44.8c-15.6%2C0-28.8%2C5.3-39.2%2C15.8C92.9%2C71.1%2C87.6%2C84.3%2C87.6%2C99.9c0%2C15.5%2C5.3%2C28.7%2C15.8%2C39.2%0A%09%09c10.5%2C10.5%2C23.7%2C15.8%2C39.2%2C15.8s28.8-5.3%2C39.2-15.8c10.5-10.5%2C15.8-23.7%2C15.8-39.2c0-15.6-5.3-28.8-15.8-39.2%0A%09%09C171.4%2C50.1%2C158.2%2C44.8%2C142.6%2C44.8z%20M161.9%2C120c-5%2C5.3-11.2%2C7.9-19.2%2C7.9c-8%2C0-14.3-2.6-19.3-7.9c-5-5.4-7.4-12-7.4-20.1%0A%09%09c0-8.1%2C2.4-14.7%2C7.4-20.1c5-5.3%2C11.2-7.9%2C19.2-7.9c8%2C0%2C14.3%2C2.6%2C19.3%2C7.9c5%2C5.4%2C7.4%2C12%2C7.4%2C20.1C169.2%2C108%2C166.8%2C114.6%2C161.9%2C120z%22%0A%09%09%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st3%22%20d%3D%22M248.3%2C44.8H215c-5.7%2C0-10%2C4.3-10%2C10v90.2c0%2C5.7%2C4.3%2C10%2C10%2C10h33.3c33.8%2C0%2C51.6-19%2C51.6-55%0A%09%09C299.9%2C63.8%2C282.1%2C44.8%2C248.3%2C44.8z%20M248.3%2C126.5h-14.9V73.3h14.9c15.9%2C0%2C23.2%2C8.5%2C23.2%2C26.6C271.5%2C118.1%2C264.1%2C126.5%2C248.3%2C126.5z%0A%09%09%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st3%22%20d%3D%22M362.3%2C44.8c-15.6%2C0-28.8%2C5.3-39.2%2C15.8c-10.5%2C10.5-15.8%2C23.7-15.8%2C39.2c0%2C15.5%2C5.3%2C28.7%2C15.8%2C39.2%0A%09%09c10.5%2C10.5%2C23.7%2C15.8%2C39.2%2C15.8c15.6%2C0%2C28.8-5.3%2C39.2-15.8c10.5-10.5%2C15.8-23.7%2C15.8-39.2c0-15.6-5.3-28.8-15.8-39.2%0A%09%09C391.1%2C50.1%2C377.9%2C44.8%2C362.3%2C44.8z%20M381.5%2C120c-5%2C5.3-11.2%2C7.9-19.2%2C7.9c-8%2C0-14.3-2.6-19.3-7.9c-5-5.4-7.4-12-7.4-20.1%0A%09%09c0-8.1%2C2.4-14.7%2C7.4-20.1c5-5.3%2C11.2-7.9%2C19.2-7.9c8%2C0%2C14.3%2C2.6%2C19.3%2C7.9c5%2C5.4%2C7.4%2C12%2C7.4%2C20.1C388.9%2C108%2C386.5%2C114.6%2C381.5%2C120z%22%0A%09%09%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st4%22%20d%3D%22M548.3%2C44.8c-2.6%2C0-4.9%2C1.1-6.7%2C3l-39.8%2C45.3L462%2C47.8c-1.7-1.9-4.1-3-6.7-3h-1.3c-4.2%2C0-7.3%2C4.2-7.3%2C10v90.1%0A%09%09c0%2C5.7%2C4.3%2C10%2C10%2C10h8.5c5.7%2C0%2C10-4.3%2C10-10v-42.8l19%2C21.2c2%2C2.2%2C4.7%2C3.5%2C7.6%2C3.5s5.6-1.2%2C7.6-3.5l19-21.2l0.1%2C42.9%0A%09%09c0%2C5.7%2C4.3%2C10%2C10%2C10h8.5c5.7%2C0%2C10-4.3%2C10-10V54.8C556.9%2C49.1%2C553.2%2C44.8%2C548.3%2C44.8z%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st4%22%20d%3D%22M674.4%2C99.8c0-15.6-5.3-28.8-15.8-39.2c-10.5-10.5-23.7-15.8-39.2-15.8c-15.6%2C0-28.8%2C5.3-39.2%2C15.8%0A%09%09c-10.5%2C10.5-15.8%2C23.7-15.8%2C39.2c0%2C15.5%2C5.3%2C28.7%2C15.8%2C39.2c10.5%2C10.5%2C23.7%2C15.8%2C39.2%2C15.8c15.6%2C0%2C28.8-5.3%2C39.2-15.8%0A%09%09C669.1%2C128.6%2C674.4%2C115.4%2C674.4%2C99.8z%20M638.6%2C119.9c-5%2C5.3-11.2%2C7.9-19.2%2C7.9c-8%2C0-14.3-2.6-19.3-7.9c-5-5.4-7.4-12-7.4-20.1%0A%09%09c0-8.1%2C2.4-14.7%2C7.4-20.1c5-5.3%2C11.2-7.9%2C19.2-7.9c8%2C0%2C14.3%2C2.6%2C19.3%2C7.9c5%2C5.4%2C7.4%2C12%2C7.4%2C20.1C645.9%2C108%2C643.5%2C114.5%2C638.6%2C119.9%0A%09%09z%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st4%22%20d%3D%22M811.6%2C60.6c-10.5-10.5-23.7-15.8-39.2-15.8c-15.6%2C0-28.8%2C5.3-39.2%2C15.8c-10.5%2C10.5-15.8%2C23.7-15.8%2C39.2%0A%09%09c0%2C15.5%2C5.3%2C28.7%2C15.8%2C39.2c10.5%2C10.5%2C23.7%2C15.8%2C39.2%2C15.8c15.6%2C0%2C28.8-5.3%2C39.2-15.8c10.5-10.5%2C15.8-23.7%2C15.8-39.2%0A%09%09C827.4%2C84.3%2C822.1%2C71.1%2C811.6%2C60.6z%20M791.6%2C119.9c-5%2C5.3-11.2%2C7.9-19.2%2C7.9c-8%2C0-14.3-2.6-19.3-7.9c-5-5.4-7.4-12-7.4-20.1%0A%09%09c0-8.1%2C2.4-14.7%2C7.4-20.1c5-5.3%2C11.2-7.9%2C19.2-7.9c8%2C0%2C14.3%2C2.6%2C19.3%2C7.9c5%2C5.4%2C7.4%2C12%2C7.4%2C20.1C799%2C108%2C796.5%2C114.5%2C791.6%2C119.9z%22%0A%09%09%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st4%22%20d%3D%22M700%2C44.8h-8.3c-5.7%2C0-10%2C4.3-10%2C10l0.1%2C87.6v9.4c0%2C7.5-2.9%2C10.8-9.7%2C11l-0.8%2C0v-4.5c0-1.3-0.7-2.6-1.7-3.1%0A%09%09c-0.3-0.2-0.7-0.3-1.1-0.3c-0.7%2C0-1.4%2C0.3-1.9%2C0.9l-16.2%2C19c-0.5%2C0.6-0.8%2C1.5-0.8%2C2.4s0.3%2C1.8%2C0.8%2C2.4l16.2%2C19%0A%09%09c0.5%2C0.6%2C1.2%2C0.9%2C1.9%2C0.9c0.4%2C0%2C0.7-0.1%2C1.1-0.3c1-0.5%2C1.7-1.7%2C1.7-3.1v-6.6h7.9c8.9%2C0%2C16.4-2.9%2C22.2-8.7l0%2C0%0A%09%09c5.7-5.7%2C8.6-13.3%2C8.6-22.5l0-16.2V54.8C710%2C49.1%2C705.7%2C44.8%2C700%2C44.8z%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
Mariners Game Recap: King Felix Rules
Apr 24, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez (right) hugs first baseman Logan Morrison (20) after recording the final out of a complete-game shutout against the Minnesota Twins at Safeco Field. Seattle won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Final. 0. 2. 2. 62
The Seattle Mariners (7-9) came out on top in the series opener with the Minnesota Twins (6-10) on Friday night at Safeco Field. Felix Hernandez (3-0, 1.61 ERA) was flawless tonight, hurling a complete game shutout for his 3rd victory of the season. Phil Hughes (0-4, 4.39 ERA) was nearly as dominant, but a pair of solo home runs proved costly for the veteran right-hander.
Tonight’s game was a pitchers duel of the finest standards, however Seattle fired the opening salvo in the bottom of the 2nd inning. No one has had a hotter start to the 2015 season than Nelson Cruz, and he absolutely demolished a Phil Hughes offering leading off the frame. Cruz truly boomsticked this one, as it landed about half way up the second deck in left field. Cruz’s blast gave the M’s an early 1-0 lead, and proved to ultimately be the winning run.
More from Mariners News
- 2023 Steamer Projections: Teoscar Hernandez could see a drop in Seattle
- Steamer Projections: Julio Rodriguez to enter rarified air in 2023
- What if the Mariners traded FOR Tyler O’Neill this time?
- Mariners starting pitching is being overlooked by MLB
- Baking the Cake: An Adjusted Mariners Offseason Plan
The game was relatively uneventful during the next couple innings, but the Mariners doubled their lead in the home half of the 5th inning. If there was ever a player “due” for a big hit it was Logan Morrison, and he was responsible for providing the M’s insurance run. LoMo led off the 5th inning by depositing a Phil Hughes’ fastball into the seats out in right-center field. It was Morrison’s first round tripper of the campaign, and it gave Seattle a commanding 2-0 lead after 5 innings.
Thanks to the superb outing from King Felix, 2 runs proved more than enough to secure a Mariners’ victory. The full box score can be found here.
Next: The King Rules
Apr 24, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) points at first base during the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
The King Rules
Felix Hernandez was stupendous against the Minnesota Twins on Friday night in the Emerald City. It is fair to say the Twins do not possess a daunting lineup, but the King made even the more formidable hitters look like little leaguers tonight. Hernandez scattered 5 hits in a complete game shutout. The King recorded 9 punch outs, and did not issue any free passes on the night. He had impeccable command of all his pitches. 73 of his 102 pitches found the strike zone tonight. I expected a strong outing from King Felix, but his sterling performance blew me away.
The 29-year-old is one of the few pitchers in the M’s starting rotation that has lived up to the hype over the first month of the season. Hernandez is currently 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA across 4 outings in 2015. He has struck out 36 and walked 5 over the course of 32.0 innings pitched. King Felix has tallied 3 quality starts, and has been a beacon of light in an otherwise disappointing rotation. Tonight’s outing was yet another reminder that we are incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to watch a pitcher of Felix’s caliber pitch 30 times a year.
King Felix will get the ball next for the Mariners when they take on the Texas Rangers next week in Arlington.
Next: LoMo Scorches a Big Fly
Apr 24, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Logan Morrison (20) celebrates in front of Minnesota Twins catcher
Kurt Suzuki(8) after hitting a home run in the fifth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
LoMo Scorches a Big Fly
Logan Morrison has been snakebitten at the plate so far this season. He has been consistently hitting the ball hard, but has little to show for it. Tonight, all the frustration produced a laser beam home run to right-center field. Morrison looked relieved as he circled bases, perhaps feeling all the hard work is finally beginning to pay off. LoMo also made an incredible leaping tag at first base to end the 3rd inning after an errant throw from Robinson Cano. All told, Morrison finished tonight’s game going 1 for 3.
As mentioned earlier, it has not been an easy start to the season for the M’s first baseman. LoMo is currently hitting just .185 with 1 home run and 1 RBI across 54 at bats. At some point, with Jesus Montero tearing it up in Tacoma, Morrison will have to fight for his job with the Mariners. However, tonight’s showing should help fend off the wolves for at least another night.
I am extremely proud to say that I picked LoMo as my pick to click prior to the start of tonight’s game. I said that Morrison would hit a Phil Hughes fastball into the seats in right field, and thanks to LoMo, I look like a genius. However, the fact that I am pointing this out suggests I am rarely ever right when picking a player who will “click”, and therefore I am hardly a genius.
Next: Whoa Nelly: Cruz Clubs Another Dinger!
Apr 24, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Nelson Cruz (right) is congratulated by third base coach Rich Donnelly after Cruz hit a solo home run during the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Whoa Nelly: Cruz Clubs Another Dinger!
Nelson Cruz has been on a tear over the first 3 and a half weeks of the season. Tonight, Cruz gave Seattle all the run support they needed by sending a Phil Hughes’ cutter soaring into the Seattle night. Some reports indicate the solo home run has still not touched solid ground. In actuality, Cruz’s home run nearly left Safeco Field as remarkable as that sounds. The 34-year-old also made a stellar sliding grab in right field that robbed Torii Hunter of a hit in the 4th inning.
Through the first 16 games of the 2015 season, Nelson Cruz has proven to be one of the greatest free agent signings in league history. Boomstick is currently hitting .328 on the season, with 9 home runs and 18 RBI’s. Cruz has hit 8 home runs and plated 15 runs over his last 10 ballgames.
Nelly won the American League Player of the Week last week, and he could very well win it again this week if he finishes the weekend strong. I shutter at the thought of where the Mariners would be this season if it was not for Nelson Cruz.
Next: Looking Ahead
Apr 19, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher James Paxton (65) throws against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Looking Ahead
With the win tonight, the Seattle Mariners climbed to 4th place in the American League West. They are still 2.0 games back of the division leading Houston Astros, but the M’s have won 4 of their last 6 games, and may U-turning their season.
The Seattle Mariners (7-9) will host the Minnesota Twins (6-10) on Saturday evening at Safeco Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 pm from the corner of Edgar and Dave. James Paxton (0-1, 8.40 ERA) will hope to put a terrible outing behind him when he toes the rubber for the M’s tomorrow night. Youngster Trevor May (1-1, 4.76 ERA) will be on the hill for Twinkies as they look to even the series. Saturday’s game will be televised by Root Sports Northwest, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch on connected devices.
Next: New Mariner Carlos Quentin: From a Different Perspective
Next: Mariners Minor League Report: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not
More from SoDo Mojo
- 2023 Steamer Projections: Teoscar Hernandez could see a drop in Seattle
- Could the Mariners Acquire AL Batting Champion, Luis Arraez?
- Steamer Projections: Julio Rodriguez to enter rarified air in 2023
- What if the Mariners traded FOR Tyler O’Neill this time?
- Mariners starting pitching is being overlooked by MLB