G90 | Felix and the bats!

M's 6 | Indians 2

On Felix days, it's fairly usual for the bullpen to kickback, as all but the D.A. were able to do yesterday.

It was nice to see the bats wake out of their ASB slumber...
11 hits including 3 doubles and ANOTHER Guit homer (now has 11). Russell and Jack were the only players without a hit, but Jack walked twice and scored both times.

Much has been made about Wash's run support (or lack thereof) so I decided to check out the stats for Felix's starts. No problem there - run differential in Felix's starts... +35
If only that were the case overall...




AP Photo/Tony Dejak

Of course "Felix praise" is aplenty these days, here's some from Wak and "the new guy"...

"That's an ace. That's an All-Star," said Mariners' manager Don Wakamatsu. "We talked last night how much our starting pitching sets the tone of a ballgame. For him to go deep, into the eighth inning, and turn it over to [David] Aardsma, it gives us a confidence level that really helps this team."

Hernandez has now gone seven or more innings in his past eight starts, the longest active streak in the majors. Over his past 10 starts, he is 6-0 with a 1.30 earned-run average.

"It's exciting any time you play behind a guy with that type of stuff," said new third baseman Jack Hannahan, who is enjoying watching Hernandez from his new vantage point, rather than facing him at the plate.

"It was not very fun," he said of the latter experience. "It was the big talk in the clubhouse: 'We're facing King Felix', so it kind of riles everyone up. I'm very happy I don't have to face him anymore."

Hernandez says he relishes the challenge of revitalizing the team after a defeat, especially one as sloppy as Thursday's.

"It was important for us after the loss that I go out there [and] do my job — give the opportunity for the team to win the game," he said, as his victory music, the bouncy "El Mariachi Loco," played loudly in the background.