Mariners Analysis: Felix Hernandez’s Top 5 Performances

#5 – King Felix Dominates Oakland – August 10, 2010

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Like a fine wine, Hernandez got better with age. Already at the beginning of his peak years at the ripe age of 23, this would finally be the year that Hernandez would win the Cy Young award. In August of 2010, almost 5 years to the day of his first 10+ strikeout game, Hernandez would be at it again against the very team he had set a career-high strikeout total against back on that 2007 Opening Day. Yes, the Oakland Athletics were about to be the victim of a Felix firestorm that would set a new personal strikeout mark.

After Hernandez surrendered 3 of his 5 hits in the first inning, he picked himself up and mowed down players. Bouncing back through the next 7 innings he pitched Hernandez struck out 12 batters, walking just 1 and giving up two hits. Even as the game went on he never wavered; before he was taken out of the game in the 9th he had retired his last 10 batters, 5 via the strikeout.

Felix continued to work his way up the franchise lists as he grabbed his 66th win in the MVP-like outing as well as collecting his 975th K with the team. 3 outings later against the Boston Red Sox, Hernandez would become the 4th youngest pitcher to reach 1,000 K’s, a testament to his steady command.

Next: Felix's First Double-Digit Strikeout Game