Red Sox hand Hernandez first loss
SEATTLE – Felix Hernandez’s winning streak came to an end Saturday because he wasn’t sharp, lost command after twisting his left ankle – and because the Mariners couldn’t bail him out in a 4-2 loss to Boston at Safeco Field.
Hernandez had won his first six decisions this season, had won seven in a row dating to last year and had won his last four decisions against the Red Sox over the last four seasons.
What happened Saturday was the law of averages, maybe. More likely, it had something to do with his troublesome ankle, although Hernandez pointedly dismissed any connection.
“Not at all,” he insisted. “The whole game, I fell behind a lot of times (in the count). My command wasn’t there.”
No connection? You decide.
The Mariners had just pulled even at 2-2 on Brad Miller’s second homer against Boston starter Rick Porcello when Hernandez came up wincing after his second pitch to Pablo Sandoval in the sixth inning.
Hernandez underwent a quick examination by assistant trainer Rob Nodine, then soldiered on and retired Sandoval on a grounder to second. But Hernandez walked the next two hitters and wasn’t close on some pitches.
“He told me he was OK,” manager Lloyd McClendon said, “but I’m not sure it didn’t affect him a little bit with his command. He seemed to lose his command after that a little bit. It was a tough sixth inning.”
Those two walks came back to bite Hernandez when Blake Swihart flicked an RBI double into left center for a 3-2 lead. At that point, the Mariners’ bullpen stirred to life when Joe Beimel began loosening.
When Hernandez loaded the bases by walking Jackie Bradley Jr., which also turned over the Boston lineup, the Mariners responded by sending out pitching coach Rick Waits for a chat.
Hernandez pitched on.
McClendon said: “I trusted that he would get us out of that inning.”
A diving stop by first baseman Logan Morrison snatched extra bases away from Brock Holt, but another run scored. The Red Sox led 4-2. Hernandez finally ended the inning by retiring Dustin Pedroia on a grounder to short.
Two runs, one hit and three walks. It would have been worse if not for Morrison’s play. Hernandez (6-1) had not give up more than three runs in any of his seven previous starts. Only once did he give up more than two.
“He’s human,” said Boston designated hitter David Ortiz, who hit a homer against Hernandez in the third inning. “He’s having a (heck) of a season. That’s one guy I want pitching for me.”