In the top of the second inning with the bases loaded Mariner’s Ace Felix Hernandez came to the plate against one of the leagues best, Johan Santana. It took one pitch for Hernandez to deposit the Santana fastball out of the park opposite field to right for the first grand slam by an American League pitcher since 1971. The Felix slam put the Mariners up 4-0, and was the first homerun of his career. Hernandez also was pitching a nice game. That was until he was forced out of the game in the 5th due to an ankle injury after Jose Reyes slid into home to make it 5-1. Hernandez left only needing one more out to officially qualify for a win in the game.
In a game that lacked offense, the Mariners only got one other run in the ballgame on a 5th inning single by Jose Lopez scoring Willie Bloomquist.
The Mets only recorded 4 hits as the Seattle bullpen got out of some jams relieving Hernandez. Roy Corcaran (1.1 innings), and Ryan Rowland-Smith (2 innings) helped keep the score 5-1 going into the bottom of the 9th.
With Miguel Batista starting the later in the week, and Brandon Morrow due back Tuesday, along with J.J. Putz still on the DL, the Mariners went into the 9th with Sean Green. Green struggled giving up a run on two hits and a walk. Then enter…Arthur Rhodes. With one out and two baserunners on, Rhodes shut the door. The 38 year old vetran one year removed from Tommy John surgery, struck out Carlos Delgado, and Damion Easley to end the game.
Ryan Rowland-Smith (2-1) picked up the victory. Johan Santana (7-6)got the loss. These two teams meet again tomorrow night at 7:10 at Shea Stadium. Seattle is expected to go with struggling knuckleballer R.A. Dickey (1-1) as the Mets counter with Oliver Perez (4-5) . David Wright is expected to get the day off for the Mets.
