He can hit too!
Saturday night, the Mariners finally figured out how to beat those pesky Padres. The team with the worst record in baseball, just seems to have our number this year.
In his first plate appearance of the game, and with runners in scoring position, King Felix Hernandez takes one to the opposite field, scores two, and ends up on second for a double.
Seems like a basic play that happens all the time right?
But whats so special about this play is, Hernandez finally gets a chance to do something about the poor run production he has been getting lately.
And what better way to lead than by example.
That two run double put the M’s ahead early, something that is almost automatic when Felix is on the mound.
Felix shut down the Padres with his arm and his bat on Saturday
The pitch
Not only was this the first pitch of the at-bat, but it happened to be the first pitch that Felix Hernandez had seen since Spring Training.
A first pitch sinker, that didn’t quite have the effect that Padres starter Jason Marquis wanted, was ripped by Felix down the first base line ending up in foul territory by the bullpen home plate near the wall.
Hernandez plated both Justin Smoak and Dusitn Ackley on the drive, which put the Mariners up 3-1 early in the second.
Chugging into second
Hernandez did make it to second on the play, but had the throw been on line, I don’t think he would’ve been safe.
With the ball in the corner, the only play left for right fielder Will Venable was to second base.
With Hernandez chugging along at a snails pace, this could have been an inning ending play, but Venable’s throw was wide of the mark, allowing Felix to make it into second standing up.
Felix now has a grand total of 7 RBI’s in his big league career, 4 of those coming from a grand slam off of Johan Santana four years ago.
I wouldn’t say he’s automatic at the plate, but he’s giving some of the starters a run for the money.
Here is a link to this game. (Have I mentioned how crazy trying to embed MLB.com video makes me? Thanks Bud)
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