Felix struggles again, but M’s still win

MARINERS

Yes, they won again. And yes, the M’s didn’t lose another game to the Angels in the standings (they are still 5½ games back). And yes, the hitting is pretty impressive right now.

But unless Felix Hernandez starts throwing with more command, the M’s are going to struggle. Hernandez has the stuff to be a No. 1 starter, he showed that early in the year. But since his injury, the control hasn’t been there and Hernandez has been hit pretty hard, including last night in the 7-4 win.

Is he still hurt a little? Is he worried about letting it go? Is it something else? Whatever, the M’s could sure use Felix working back into his early season form.

Tonight (and tomorrow) we’ll be at Safeco watching the M’s. It will be Cha Seung Baek (3-2, 4.93 ERA) vs. Brian Burres (3-2, 3.08) tonight (7:05; FSN; 920-AM) and Jarrod Washburn in tomorrow’s 1:35 game (which means we should get out of there early).

Today’s hot list …

• Jose Vidro pulling himself off the bench to pinch-hit seems to be the thrust of the game stories, starting with the Times and continuing through the News Tribune, the P-I and the Herald. Here is the game story from the Baltimore Sun.

• Thanks for the effort. Now get out. That was the message (delivered in a nicer manner, I’m sure) to Ryan Feierabend on Monday. With the M’s activating reliever Chris Reitsma, Feierabend was sent back to Tacoma. Jeff Weaver will return to the rotation Saturday, taking the spot Feierabend filled last weekend.

• Speaking of Tacoma, the M’s have a blossoming power hitter there.

• Former Mariner third-base coach Sam Perlozzo isn’t having the season he hoped for as manager of the Orioles.

• And our question of the day …

• What is behind Felix’s poor outings of late?