Mariners Game Recap: King Felix Makes History in Win

May 10, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon (left) congratulates Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) after the seventh inning against the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners (14-17) took care of business Sunday afternoon at Safeco Field, winning 4-3 against the Oakland A’s (12-21). The win today allowed the M’s to complete the sweep of the 3-game weekend series. Felix Hernandez (6-0, 1.85 ERA) tallied his 20th career victory over the Athletics today. Jesse Chavez (1-3, 2.56 ERA) struggled this afternoon, and was credited with the loss for Oakland. Fernando Rodney made it interesting in the 9th, but managed to collect his 9th save of the season.

The A’s opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd inning. King Felix set down the first 2 batters he faced, but Marcus Semien proved to be a thorn in his side all day. Semien hit the first pitch he saw into the bullpen out in left-center field. The solo blast gave the Athletics’ a 1-0 lead.

Seattle stormed back in the home half of the 4th inning to take the lead. Rickie Weeks worked a leadoff walk to get the rally started. Nelson Cruz moved Weeks over to third base on a single through the right side of the infield. Kyle Seager plated Weeks on a double to right field. Cruz ended up on third base, and the Mariners had runners on second and third with only 1 out. Logan Morrison was unable to capitalize, but Dustin Ackley doubled home Cruz and Seager. The AckAttack gave the M’s a 3-1 lead after 4.

Jesus Sucre led off the Mariners’ 5th with a single to right field. Seth Smith has been great in 2015, and he doubled on a line drive to left field. Sucre made it third on Smith’s double, and the M’s had runners on second and third with none out. Rickie Weeks struck out looking, but Robinson Cano hit a fly ball to right field that was deep enough to score Sucre. Cano’s sacrifice fly made it 4-1 for the Mariners.

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Oakland began chipping away at the Mariners’ lead in the top of the 6th inning. Marcus Semien had Hernandez’s number all day, and he connected on his second big fly of the game leading off the 6th. Semien’s 2nd home run of the game made the score 4-2.

The Fernando Rodney experience was nauseating today. With 1 out in the 9th inning, Stephen Vogt clubbed his 8th home run of the season. Thankfully, nobody was on base, and the A’s still trailed 4-3. Rodney was not overly effective this afternoon, but he managed to eek out his 9th save of the season.

The full box score can be found here.

Next: King Felix Notches Career Strikeout #2000

May 10, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) is surrounded by a field of pink during a Mother

King Felix Notches Career Strikeout #2000

Felix Hernandez has long been recognized in the Pacific Northwest as the best pitcher in baseball, but today he etched his name in the record books. King Felix became the 4th youngest pitcher in MLB history to tally 2000 career punch outs. Hernandez struck out Sam Fuld in the 5th inning to record the milestone, and now Fuld and Felix will forever be tied.

Hernandez’s 2000th career strikeout was not his only highlight this afternoon. The King spun a gem, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits across 6 innings en route to earning his 6th win of the season. He struck out 6 A’s, and walked just 1. Had it not been for Marcus Semien, today would have been a truly spectacular day.

King Felix is now 6-0 on the season, and he has posted a measly 1.85 ERA. Hernandez will hope to continue his Cy Young caliber season when he squares off against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night at Safeco Field.

Next: The AckAttack is Heating Up

May 10, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Dustin Ackley (13) hits an RBI double in the fourth inning scoring two runs against the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

The AckAttack is Heating Up

The Mariners were very economical today, plating 4 runs on just 5 hits. Dustin Ackley had the most important hit of the game when he scored Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager on a double with 2 out in the 4th inning. Ackley sliced a line drive that split the left and center fielder perfectly. The AckAttack’s double was the turning point today, and Seattle never looked back.

Today’s impressive showing marks the 3rd consecutive game Ackley has tallied a hit. He entered the 3-game series with the A’s hitting .182, and he exits the weekend hitting .192. Obviously, he is still struggling, but he has been known as a streaky hitter throughout his career and this weekend may have been the beginning of a hot streak for the 27-year-old.

Ackley has also done a nice job handling the center field duties with Austin Jackson currently on the 15-day disabled list. He is far from a gold glove center fielder, but he has held his own defensively.

Next: Looking Ahead