Masterful Felix Goes the Distance

It was probably in the top three performances I've seen by Felix... possibly the number one.  He was spot on, fired up, gutsy.  Striking out a career high 13 via 128 pitches.  And, just his luck, the Mariners were able to pull out a walk-off 1-0 win.

Red Sox (40-35)

Nava LF

Pedroia 2B

Ortiz DH

Saltalamacchia C

Gonzalez 1B

Middlebrooks 3B

Ross RF

Kalish CF

Aviles SS

Morales (1-1, 3.12)

Mariners (32-44)

Ichiro RF

Gutierrez CF

Seager 3B

Montero DH

Wells LF

Olivo C

Ackley 2B

Ryan SS

Felix (5-5, 3.36)

It was Morales' third start of the year, and he pitched 7 good innings.  However, Felix showed once again why he is The King!!!  

Scary moment in the 4th after Gutierrez got on with a the Mariners' first hit of the night.  In a pickoff attempt, Morales hit Guti in the face with the ball.  He was down on the ground writhing and remained on the ground for several mintues while they checked him over.  He was replaced by Saunders.  We weren't sure exactly where he was hit.  At one point someone said his jaw, but it looks like it hit him on his ear and he has a slight concussion.  That's the best possible outcome I can think of.  The dude has just horrible luck.  First his stomach issues last year, then his torn pec muscle and foot issue this year!  Hopefully he won't be out too long, but it was scary for awhile.

Casper Wells made two fantastic plays in the 8th inning to rob Aviles and Nava of base hits, the last a sliding grab toward foul territory to end the inning.  In the bottom of the 8th the Mariners went meekly in 7 pitches.  The 9th inning was probably the most gutsy and clutch inning I've seen in awhile.  Felix had 105 pitches through 8 innings.  He matched his career high 13 strikeouts with Pedroia then gave up a first pitch base hit to Ortiz, followed by a full count walk to Saltalamacchia.  It was his one and only walk.  Lillibridge came on to pinch run for Ortiz.  So we had runners on 1st and 2nd with one out.  Felix then proceeded to battle Gonzalez for an epic 9 pitch at-bat.  He was now in the 120s for his pitch count and running on pure guts and determination.  The ninth and last pitch of the at-bat was a towering fly ball that seemed to travel forever to left-center, but Saunders tracked it down to everyone's relief.  Next pitch, pop-up to second and Felix finished pumped up.

Wells, with those two fantastic plays in the eighth, stroked a one out double to left-center.  Boston intentionally walked Smoak to get to Olivo.  Except, Mr. Clutch John Jaso came in to pinch hit, and needed no time to stroke the game winning single to right.  The throw was close, but Saltalamacchia dropped the ball and the ballgame was over!  Celebration ensued.  Jaso continues to impress, stepping up time and again with the clutch hit.  Baseball sure is fun when you win.

The Mariners improved to 10-12 when I attend, with their 4th shutout.
Attendance: 20,692
Time of Game: 2:40

The Roof was closed the entire game.