Saturday  July 11, 2008

Royals 3, Mariners 1

Felix Hernandez finally made his return back to the Mariner rotation on Friday night against the Kansas City Royals.  Hernandez retired the first ten batters he faced, throwing five innings striking out eight.  The Royals got to Felix in the 5th for their only runs of the ballgame.  Joey Gathright scored Ross Gload on an RBI single to start off the scoring.  David DeJesus picked up a two run double in the 5th to give the Royals all the offsense they would need for the night.

The return of King Felix was overshadowed by a lights out performance by Royals starter Luke Hochevar.  Hochevar called it his best performance of his career.  Hochevar threw seven innings, recording zero walks, and striking out four.

Some Mariner notes

- Cesar Jimenez bounced back nicely from yesterdays loss and pitched two scoreless innings in relief striking out two batters.

- Adrian Beltre keeps raking going 2-for-4 with his 15th double of the season.  He scored the lone Mariner run.

- Ichiro Suzuki went 0-for-4 ending a 26-game hit streak against the Royals.  It marked the first game Ichiro didn’t record a hit against the Kansas City in his career.

- Jared Wells was sent back to Tacoma with the return of Felix Hernandez from the 15 day DL.

- The M’s aquired 1B/OF Craig Wilson from the Pirates for a player to be named later.  Wilson has played this season in the Minors.  He will be assigned to Triple A Tacoma.

Game two of the series on Saturday will feature former Mariner Gil Meche on the bump against the recently hot Jarrod Washburn.  Tug Hulett is expected to play in his first career major league game as he will DH for the M’s.

Mariners Blog