King Returns: Hernandez solid as Mariners pinnacle Angels 6-three

SEATTLE (AP) —

Felix Hernandez waited until the seventh game of the regular season to subsequently take the mound, and that felt foreign to Seattle’s former ace. However, it can also have supplied a little bit of motivation as well. “It’s been hard,” Hernandez stated. “But we were given my debut for 2019. Got to get going.” Hernandez allowed one earned run and pitched into the sixth inning for his first victory, given that June and the Mariners beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-three on Monday night. This wasn’t King Felix of the beyond. He’s not that pitcher after he was demoted to the No. Five-spot in Seattle’s rotation following a profession-worst season in 2018. But his preliminary time out in the new season turned into a fantastic sign that the Mariners were hoping to see from the almost 33-year-old.

He labored beforehand of hitters, throwing moves early inside the matter. He didn’t stroll a batter. He overcame adversity with Seattle’s protection, committing 4 mistakes. Most vital, the huge inning that showed up frequently remaining season in no way materialized. With the King’s Court fan section at his back, Hernandez (1-0) allowed seven hits. He struck out 4 and earned his first victory since June 30, 2018. Hernandez went through his final 11 starts of last season without a win. He becomes charged with two unearned runs. The Mariners will take that great of a day out on every occasion Hernandez is on the hill. I’d imagine he stayed with the plan he had going into the game. I recognize he desired to get the curveball going; however, nonetheless, the use of the fastball was sufficient,” Seattle supervisor Scott Servais said. “The curveball and changeup the ones are his weapons. You can only really get going with that while you get beforehand in the remember, and that’s what he did pretty properly tonight.”

Seattle’s bullpen was also strong, throwing three 2/three scoreless innings, permitting the most effective baserunners, including an intentional walk to Mike Trout. Roenis Elias pitched the ninth for his first save.
Jay Bruce homered for the 0.33 instant replay, hitting a two-run shot in the seventh inning. Seattle has 16 home runs and has scored at least five runs in all seven video games. Seattle scored 4 runs in the first inning off starter Chris Stratton (zero-1), which included RBI singles using Domingo Santana and Omar Narvaez and a two-run double using AL player of the week Tim Beckham. However, the Mariners overlooked opportunities to increase the lead, leaving the bases loaded within the 5th and runners at 2nd and third inside the 6. Bruce didn’t pass over Hansel Robles’ pitch, homering in three instantly games for the 12th time in his career. Albert Pujols doubled in the fourth inning for the 640th of his career, stepping into a tie with Honus Wagner for ninth on the career list. The Angels scored twice within the fourth inning, helped by a couple of errors from Narvaez, but had been shut down in any other case. The Angels have scored three or fewer runs in 4 of 5 video games.

“We’re not clicking on all cylinders offensively. And it can be difficult on pitchers if you’re constantly looking to preserve a crew,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “So it might be qualified to jump on a group early from an offensive perspective and maybe allow their pitching group of workers should worry about protecting us.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Angels pitcher Andrew Heaney underwent a CT scan on his left elbow Monday and was diagnosed as having regular, continual pain in his pitching elbow, general manager Billy Eppler said. Heaney will go through a cortisone injection and must be cleared to resume his throwing program within the next seven-to-10 days. Eppler started. Heaney won’t completely start over his throwing program but will take the time earlier than he’s returned on the mound.

TRADE ALARM

Seattle made a minor exchange Monday, obtaining right-handed reliever Connor Sadzeck from Texas in exchange for minor league pitcher Grant Anderson. Sadzeck will upload depth to a bullpen that was Seattle’s biggest question entering the season. Sadzeck turned into specified for assignment by way of Texas on March 28. He has regarded the thirteen games remaining season with the Rangers but has struggled with management. Additionally, Seattle transferred reliever Hunter Strickland to the 60-day injured list to clear a gap on the 40-man roster.

UP NEXT

Angels: Trevor Cahill (0-1) seems to rebound from a tough start within the season opener, while he allowed 4 earned runs in six innings against Oakland. He has a three.40 ERA in his career against Seattle.
Mariners: Marco Gonzales (2-0) makes his 1/3 start of the season. Gonzales has allowed 3 earned runs in both of his starts, pitching into or via the 6th inning in each.