Blanco saves Felix

Eric Wedge decided to start Henry Blanco today. Blanco caught Felix once in the World Baseball Classic so Wedge figured that they would communicate well together. The Mariners were on the national spotlight today as the game was broadcast on FOX. The Mariners would go down easily in the top of the first, but Felix would not have such an easy first inning. Felix would get the first batter in Coco Crisp to strikeout but John Jaso would walk and after striking out Yoenis Cespedes Brandon Moss singled to put runners at first and second but thanks to Felix being as clutch as he is managed to strike out John Donaldson to end the bottom of the first. Felix threw 24 pitches in the first inning.

Raul Ibanez lead off the top of the second by singling and Mike Morse followed by singling himself. Michael Saunders was able to continue his struggles by striking out with nobody out then both Brendan Ryan and Henry Blanco popped out to end the top of second inning. Felix had another long inning has he finish the second by not allowing a hit or run but threw an extra 18 pitches giving him 42 total pitches in only two innings of work. In the third Felix would have an easy 1-2-3 inning by throwing 16 pitches and putting his total to 58 in three innings of work. The fourth inning saw Felix strikeout two batters and get Donaldson to ground out and only threw 13 pitches.

The fifth inning brought some excitement to both sides. The Mariners started off their half of the fifth with both Blanco and Ryan flying out. Endy Chavez was able to leg out an infield single, Nick Franklin followed Chavez by doubling down the right field line but unfortunately Chavez couldn't score and was held up at third. Kyle Seager was unsuccessful in bring home the M's first run of the game and popped out to end the inning. Jed Lowrie lead off the Athletics half of the fifth by doubling and putting the A's in a position to take the lead on Felix. Felix was able to escape the inning in one hell of a fashion, he got Seth Smith to fly out and then Chris Young flew out and on his fly out Lowrie was cut down trying to score and Felix was in and out in only 8 pitches.

Kendrys Morales lead off the sixth inning by singling just past the diving Eric Sogard. Mike Morse drove one over the head of Chris Young on the play Morales was able to mooch on into third base. Michael Saunders was intentionally walked to bring up Henry Blanco and on the first pitch put the Mariners up 4-0 with his second grand slam of his career. Felix would get into a jam in the seventh inning after the first two batters got on with singles but he was able to strikeout Donaldson and got Jed Lowrie to ground into the inning ending double play. Charlie Furbush and Yorvis Medina finished off Felix's 106 pitching gem and secured the series over the A's.


NOTES:The Mariners are now 6-3 against the A's this season.