Felix who? Baseball showed again why it’s so unpredictable.
The Boston Red Sox, a team that scored three runs in its first two games against the Seattle Mariners, managed to produce offense Saturday against ace Felix Hernandez en route to a 4-2 win at Safeco Field.
The Red Sox have taken two of their first three contests against the Mariners. Boston has won five of its last seven games on the current 10-game road trip.
GAME IN A WORD
Dethroned.
King Felix entered the game with a perfect 6-0 record and an impressive 1.85 ERA. The Red Sox made the Mariners ace look human, though, getting to him for four runs over six innings.
Hernandez allowed seven hits, including two homers. He also walked four after walking just eight batters in his first seven starts combined (48 2/3 innings).
Hernandez gutted through the sixth inning, but he appeared to tweak his ankle at the beginning of the frame and wasn’t the same after. He issued three walks and a double in his final inning of work as the Red Sox scored two runs to take a 4-2 lead.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
The Red Sox capitalized on a wounded King Felix.
Hernandez, who was visited by the trainer in the sixth inning after landing awkwardly off the mound, walked Xander Bogaerts and Daniel Nava with one out. Blake Swihart then gave Boston a 3-2 lead with a double into left-center field.
Hernandez walked the No. 9 hitter, Jackie Bradley Jr., to load the bases for Brock Holt. Holt ripped a screamer down the first base line that Logan Morrison dived to stop. It would have been extra bases and at least two runs without Morrison’s play, but Boston’s fourth run still crossed the plate.
ON THE BUMP
— Rick Porcello accepted the challenge.
Porcello, who has played the role of stopper twice already this season, outpitched Hernandez, which was exactly what the Red Sox needed after Friday’s 2-1, walk-off loss. Runs obviously figured to be at a premium with Hernandez on the bump for Seattle and Boston’s offense struggling, and Porcello delivered the goods until his departure in the seventh inning.
Porcello allowed two earned runs on five hits over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out six, walked two and threw 104 pitches (65 strikes).
— Tommy Layne struck out two over a clean inning of work.
— Koji Uehara earned his ninth save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
IN THE BATTER’S BOX
— Pablo Sandoval, batting left-handed, hit a home run to left-center field in the second inning.
— David Ortiz hit his first homer since April 24 in the third inning. It ended a 68-at-bat homerless drought for the nine-time All-Star.
— Swihart has a story to tell.
Swihart, facing Hernandez for the first time in his major league career, collected two hits against the former Cy Young award winner, including the go-ahead double in the sixth inning.
— Bradley reached base twice — a fielder’s choice and a walk — but still is searching for his first hit of 2015. The slick-fielding outfielder is 0-for-12 to open the season after a hot start at Triple-A Pawtucket.
TWEET OF THE GAME
GloveGate.
[tweet https://twitter.com/garystriewski/status/599757481070469121Â align=’center’%5D
UP NEXT
The Red Sox and Mariners will wrap up their four-game series Sunday. Fortunately for everyone on the East Coast, it won’t be another late night, as the teams are scheduled to battle at 4:10 p.m. ET.
Steven Wright is scheduled to face James Paxton in the finale. Wright is making his first start of 2015 after replacing Justin Masterson, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list earlier this week.
Thumbnail photo via Jennifer Nicholson/USA TODAY Sports Images
