The few fans who braved the downpour on their way into the stadium and the night chill during Tuesdays game at Safeco Field were treated to two reminders of the Seattle Mariners success in their 6-4 win over the Oakland As.
The announced crowd of 18,167 got a reminder of a once-brilliant and not-so-distant past as Ken Griffey Jr. delivered a three-run homer with the same picturesque swing that is burned into fans memories.
They also got a reminder of a promising future well, for at least the next year or so watching Felix Hernandez make his case for the American League Cy Young award by posting his career-high 18th win of the season.
Beyond what could be possibly Griffeys last homer in a Mariners uniform, and another line on an impressive résumé for Hernandez, the Mariners won their 81st game of the season, ensuring that they wont finish with a losing record.
It means a lot, Hernandez said. Its pretty good for this team. We lost 101 games last year. It feels way different in the clubhouse and on the field.
One more win over the remaining five games would mean a winning record, something that seemed unfathomable after last years miserable campaign.
The biggest thing for us is that we went through a lot with injuries this year, Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said, mentioning injuries to Russell Branyan, Sean White and Erik Bedard. To be sitting here at 81 wins is a stepping stone, its nowhere near what we want to do here, but through the circumstances, Im awfully proud of these guys.
There may not be a player that Wakamatsu is more proud of than his young No. 1 starter. Hernandez has blossomed this season, erasing the word potential from his list of adjectives and becoming a superstar.
In the first of his two remaining starts of the season, Hernandez, whos in a battle with Kansas Citys Zack Greinke and Detroits Justin Verlander for the ALs top pitching honor, delivered a solid, if not spectacular performance.
Command issues elevated his pitch count and put runners on base leading to an early run.
It happens every time we have a day off before I pitch, Hernandez said. I feel too strong.
The stuff, the velocity was there, but the control wasnt.
In the second, third and fourth innings, Hernandez allowed multiple runners on hits, walks and hit batters. And yet the As managed only the one run.
With his pitch count on the fast track to triple digits, it didnt appear as though the Mariners would give Hernandez sufficient run support. They managed one run on a fielders choice by Bill Hall.
But that changed in the fifth.
Josh Wilson led off with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Franklin Gutierrez to push the lead to 2-1.
Then it was Griffey who broke the game open, crushing the first pitch he saw from Trevor Cahill a 90-mph fastball deep into the right-field stands for a three-run home run.
Its always majestic, Wakamatsu said. Cahills an awfully tough young kid. Junior steps in there and takes that swing. He doesnt show age with that swing. Its a beautiful swing.
The Mariners would tack on another run on a Hall double for a five-run fifth inning.
As you soon as you give Felix some runs, you feel like youre going to win the ballgame, Wakamatsu said.
Hernandez knew that the five-run outburst was a gift from his teammates, who havent always been the most generous when it comes to run support. And he felt obliged to make the most of it.
After that, I told myself, Youve got to keep it down, youve got to throw strikes, Hernandez said.
He worked two more scoreless innings and started the eight with 99 pitches, but he wouldnt get out of it. He gave up back-to-back singles to start the inning, but Wakamatsu stayed with him.
There were times today when I probably could have taken him out a little sooner, but theres a trust that hes going to get the ground ball or get a big strikeout, Wakamatsu said.
Thats a credit to him.
Hernandez couldnt quite get through. He got two outs, but did give up a run on a sacrifice fly. But with two outs, he hit Mark Ellis and walked Eric Patterson to load the bases.
Wakamatsu had seen enough. Hernandez exited the game after 72/3 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, walking four, striking out four, hitting two batters, tossing two wild pitches and throwing a season-high 120 pitches.
He also got a long standing ovation from the crowd.
He just never gives up and he battles and seems to be able to manage any kind of trouble he gets into, Wakamatsu said. Its a credit to him.
Mark Lowe came in and struck out Cliff Pennington to end the inning.
David Aardsma came on in the ninth and had a few rocky moments, allowing two runs, but managed to keep Hernandezs win safe even without getting the save.
Ryan Divish: 253-597-8483
