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Seattle Mariners

Mariners Pregame: Birthday boy King Felix faces Angels hoping bats finally break out

Happy 31st birthday to Seattle Mariners starter Felix Hernandez. (Eric Christian Smith / Associated Press)
By Dave Nichols daven@spokesman.com(509) 459-5441

Seattle Mariners birthday boy Felix Hernandez (31) makes his 51st career start against the Los Angeles Angels tonight, tying Catfish Hunter (also born this day, 71 years ago) for the second-most career starts against the Angels.

It’s not the pitching, though, that has the Mariners off to an MLB-worst 1-4 start. the M’s are batting .093 (4 for 43) with runners in scoring position in five games this season.

Their 43 at-bats with runners in scoring position are tied for second-most in the Major Leagues, so it’s not a matter of just getting on, but getting them over and getting them in.

Lineups and starter matchup

Game 6: Seattle Mariners (1-4) at Los Angeles Angels (3-2), 7:17 p.m.

Courtesy @MarinersPR
Courtesy @MarinersPR

Starters: RHP Felix Hernandez ((0-1, 3.60) vs. RHP Ricky Nolasco (0-1, 4.76)

Mariners Notes

  • Only Jim Kaat has made more career starts against the Halos (57) than Felix Hernandez.
  • Felix’s 328 career strikeouts against the Angels are the most of any pitcher in MLB history, ahead of Roger Clemens (324) and Bert Blyleven (315).
  • Nelson Cruz has hit 38 career home runs against the Angels, most in his career against any single opponent and among active players, he trails only Adrian Beltre (40).
  • The Mariners lead the bigs in double plays thus far with 10. The M’s have turned a pair in each of the first five games.

This Day in Mariners History

In 1977, the Mariners won their first game in franchise history, defeating the California Angels 7-6 in walk-off fashion. Larry Milbourne doubled home Jose Baez with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. Bill Laxton earned the first win in club history.