Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Mariners


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published April 16, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified April 17, 2008 at 1:46 AM

E-mail article     Print view

Hernandez holds down A's, pitches Seattle to 4-2 win

AP Sports Writer

OAKLAND, Calif. — Felix Hernandez found success with all four of his pitches, throwing his first complete game in more than a year to lead the Seattle Mariners past the Oakland Athletics 4-2 Wednesday night.

Hernandez struck out eight in an eight-hitter, retiring 16 of 18 during one stretch. He threw 115 pitches in a game that took only 2 hours, 9 minutes.

Jose Vidro hit a two-run double off Joe Blanton, Adrian Beltre doubled twice and drove in a run and Raul Ibanez had three hits, an RBI and scored twice for Seattle.

Hernandez (2-0) lowered his ERA from 1.66 to 1.52. He already held a 3-0 lead when he took the mound in the bottom of the first, then went out and showed that he can be the ace of the Mariners' staff with Erik Bedard on the disabled list.

The A's dropped their fifth straight to Seattle dating to last season, matching their longest skid against the Mariners also done from June 21 to Sept. 22, 1998. Seattle has won six consecutive games at the Coliseum for the Mariners' most victories in a row in Oakland.

Bobby Crosby scored on an error by shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt in the second for Oakland's first run. Betancourt threw wildly past first base for an error on Kurt Suzuki's infield single. After that hit, Hernandez retired 13 of his next 14 batters and didn't allow another hit until Jack Cust's single to start the seventh.

The A's got three hits off Hernandez in the eighth, including Daric Barton's two-out RBI single. Hernandez then retired Mike Sweeney on a called third strike to finish his strong outing. The right-hander -- who didn't give up an earned run in either of his first two starts but got no-decisions -- pitched his first complete game since a 3-0 win at Boston on April 11, 2007.

Blanton (1-3), making his fifth start after pitching the major league opener in Japan last month, dropped to 0-3 at home this season as the A's lost for only the fourth time in their last 12 games.

The right-hander was tagged for four runs and matched his career high by giving up 12 hits, which he also did against the Mariners last July 8. He struck out two, and didn't walk a batter for the first time this season.

Blanton had allowed two or fewer runs in eight of his first 12 starts against Seattle, but fell behind in a hurry with a shaky first inning.

Ichiro Suzuki singled to start the game, then Jose Lopez grounded out before three straight hits by Seattle -- Ibanez's RBI single followed by back-to-back doubles by Beltre and Vidro.

Beltre hit his second double and sixth of the year to drive in a run in the third.

The Mariners were 14-5 against the A's last season after a 2-17 showing vs. Oakland in 2006. The losses were the most ever by the A's against one team in a single season.

Notes: The Mariners recalled reliever Brandon Morrow from Double-A West Tenn to fill the roster spot left open when Bedard went on the DL on Tuesday with hip inflammation. He is slated to throw a bullpen session Friday as part of his recovery. ... The A's returned RHP Fernando Hernandez, a Rule 5 draft pick, to the Chicago White Sox. ... Oakland RHP Justin Duchscherer, on the 15-day DL with a strained right biceps, could pitch in a minor league rehab game as soon as Monday.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

More Mariners headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

Mariners to try Dustin Ackley at second base

Vizquel close to signing contract with White Sox

Tracy, Scioscia win Manager of the Year awards

Former Mariners manager John McLaren is glad to be back in the dugout

Scioscia, Tracy named managers of the year

Advertising

Video

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Real Salt Lake defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy with penalty kicks after 120 minutes of play at Qwest Field in Seattle.

Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection
Full interview with New Moon actors

Marketplace

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

nwautos

Less is more: Group rides, good gas mileage have led to a scooter swarm in Seattlenew
Local riders say they've seen a surge in scooter interest in recent years, mostly from people wanting another commuting option. Seattle now ranks as o...
Post a comment

Advertising