Hernandez loses for the first time since June 12
SEATTLE – Felix Hernandez’s remarkable run came to a sudden halt.
Mark Trumbo hit a two-run single in the eighth that chased Hernandez and gave the Los Angeles Angels their fifth straight victory, 5-2 over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.
“I felt good. I felt the same,” Hernandez said. “I was throwing the ball pretty good until the eighth. I’m still strong.”
King Felix gave up five runs – four earned – in 7 1/3 innings. He yielded nine hits, walked two and struck out seven.
Hernandez (13-6) entered this outing 9-0 since June 12 with a 1.40 ERA over his previous 14 starts. However, in three starts against the Angels this season Hernandez is 0-2. He has allowed 15 runs and 24 hits for a 5.75 ERA. His ERA against the rest of baseball: 2.16.
“That’s a big statement on how we keep grinding it out,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “We beat a terrific pitcher this afternoon. He had been pitching as well as anyone in baseball for a while.”
Mariners manager Eric Wedge said Hernandez was in control.
“He’s been there before and handled it very well. He is still strong and if not the best pitcher, one of the best pitchers in baseball,” Wedge said. “There’s not a better option for us in the eighth inning.”
Mike Trout and Torii Hunter singled to open the eighth. Albert Pujols then hit a one-hopper to third baseman Kyle Seager, who couldn’t corral it for an error. That allowed Trout to score, tying the game at 2, while Hunter and Pujols each moved into scoring position.
“I saw him going and it’s a contact play,” Seager said. “Trout runs well but if I catch that ball and make a good throw, he’d have been out pretty easily. It’s just a play where I got in-between hops and wasn’t able to make the play. I should have definitely made it.”
Kendrys Morales bounced out, and Trumbo then sent a hit through the left side as both runners scored easily.
The three-run rally continued against reliever Stephen Pryor as Howie Kendrick delivered a RBI single.
“They cracked the door open for us a little bit. I thought we had some good at-bats, some key hits, put some guys in motion. We were getting after it,” Scioscia said. “Felix is tough. He does special things with the baseball. He changes speed. He’s got stuff. He competes. We did a terrific job against a great pitcher.”
Ervin Santana (8-11) went seven innings. He gave up two runs on four hits, walking two and striking out two.
Trayvon Robinson tied the game at 1-1 for the Mariners with his second home run, in the third. Franklin Gutierrez gave them a 2-1 lead with a run-scoring double in the third.
Notes
Seattle added outfielders Carlos Peguero and pitcher Erasmo Ramirez to its roster. The club intends to bring up more players but will wait until after the minor league season ends Monday. … OF Michael Saunders sat out after tweaking his right hamstring Friday. It came after he missed six games with the same injury.