Mariners Come Alive Too Late as Felix Struggles

Felix made his first start in 11 days after straining his back in his last start.  He continued his struggles of the last few weeks as he gave up 5 runs on 9 hits, and his offense gave him only 1 run. They scored three in the bottom of the ninth inning to make the final score 5-4, but it was too little too late.

Padres (20-41)

Venable RF

Forsythe 2B

Headley 3B

Quentin DH

Alonso 1B

Denorfia LF

Maybin CF

Hundley C

Cabrera SS

Richard (2-7, 4.58)

Mariners (27-35)

Ichiro RF

Ackley 2B

Montero DH

Seager 3B

Smoak 1B

Olivo C

Saunders CF

Figgins LF

Ryan SS

Hernandez (4-4, 3.42)

I'm hoping he can chalk this start up to being rusty, and not that Felix has lost it.  He was in trouble from the very beginning and didn't retire a side safely until the 5th inning.  The very first pitch was a bunt base hit by Venable. They caught him stealing, but Felix then proceeded to give a two out walk  an then hit a batter.  Thankfully he was able to get out of the jam with no damage.  The Padres got their lead batter on in each of the first four innings.  Denorfia singled in the 2nd, but Felix was able to get a double play and got out of the inning.  Unfortunately, he walked the leadoff guy in the 3rd, Cabrera, who ended up scoring on a two out single for the first run of the game.

Saunders was the first base runner for the Mariners in the third, but was doubled up on a Figgins grounder.  We scored our only run, until the ninth inning, thanks to a broken back single by Ichiro, Ackley single, then Seager ground out.  

Felix gave up 4 runs in his final inning.  He gave up a leadoff walk, then a bloop single that fell in-between Figgins and Ryan.  In fact it hit Ryan's glove, but he was trying to make an amazing over the shoulder "Will Mays" basket catch and just ran out of room.  Denorfia then hit into a fielder's choice to make runners on 1st and 2nd with one out.  Felix then gave up 2 consecutive singles then a "wild pitch" .  The ball hit the dirt before it crossed the plate.  Really, though, that was on Olivo.  He is a fucking catcher and needs to BLOCK THE DAMN PLATE.  Cabrera followed it up with an RBI single to make it - with one out.  He was then picked off of third, and Venable struck out on the next pitch to end the damage.1

Saunders had a fantastic games, 3-4 on the night and some nifty base running.   He almost had a grand slam in the sixth but hit the ball to deep left center and only made it to the warning track.  In the 5th he had a double down the left field line and then immediately stole third on the next pitch.  After Figgins was caught looking and Ryan walked, Ichiro ground to third to end the inning.  Until the 9th, our best opportunity to score was the sixth inning when we loaded the bases on three singles.  But, Saunders didn't quite get enough of the pitch.  He did, however, in the 9th inning.  With 1 out, down 5-1, he LAUNCHED a homer to deep center, and estimated 428 feet, for his 7th home run of the year.  Figgins then doubled, followed by pinch hitter Kawasaki who singled in Figgins to make it 5-3.  Ichiro singled on the next pitch to make it runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out, and the winning run at the plate in Ackley.  He struck out, but the ball got past the catcher and Kawasaki scored to make it a 5-4 game.  Montero ground out to end the ballgame.  There was some excitement at the end, but unfortunately it was too late.  We had all kind of opportunities, and need to eventually break through on a consistent basis.  Felix can't be perfect every time.

Stephen Pryor, injured himself in the 9th inning, looks like a pulled groin.  Hopefully he isn't out too long.

The Mariners are now 7-9 when I attend

Attendance: 13,084

Time of Game: 3:02