SEATTLE -- Even in the middle of his best outing this season and coming within one out of his first complete game since August 2012, Felix Hernandez took
notice of the stadium radar gun flashing numbers in the mid-90s when his
fastball cracked the glove.
John Johnson Rams
Jersey . "Ive still got it," Seattles ace said with a sly grin. Riding
that fastball carrying a little more zip, Hernandez took a shutout bid into the
ninth inning as the Mariners beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 on Wednesday night.
On the verge of a brilliant shutout and first complete game since Aug. 27, 2012
against Minnesota, Hernandez couldnt get the 27th out. He gave up a two-out
single to Mike Trout and an RBI double to Albert Pujols that took away the
shutout and the complete game and caused Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon to turn
to his closer. Still, the effort by Hernandez (7-1) continued a dominant run. He
won his fourth consecutive start and became the seventh pitcher in Mariners
history with seven victories before June 1. In those last four starts, Hernandez
has allowed eight earned runs in 31 1-3 innings with 30 strikeouts. He now has a
57-7 record in his career when pitching at least eight innings. "I think were
all getting accustomed to how hes been throwing. Hes just coming out and
establishing the fastball early and going to his off speed pitches when he needs
to," Seattle catcher Mike Zunino said. Providing the offence behind Hernandezs
gem was Zunino, who homered and drove in all of Seattles runs. He gave the
Mariners the lead with a two-out, two-run single in the second and led off the
eighth with a home run off C.J. Wilson (6-4). Wilson was nearly the equal of
Hernandez. Also trying to get his seventh win, Wilson allowed just five hits and
struck out five before getting lifted with two outs in the eighth. Five of
Zuninos seven homers this season have come in Hernandez starts. But he was more
pleased with the single in the second inning that scored Justin Smoak and
Kyle Seager. "When you can do that with two outs and put the team on the board
early and see some pitches, that was the biggest thing for me and gave you
confidence as the game went on," Zunino said. Hernandez cruised through the
eighth, still hitting the mid-90s mph on the stadium radar gun and closed the
inning striking out Hank Conger. There was very little discussion with McClendon
and Hernandez jogged from the dugout to start the ninth to a big ovation having
allowed just two hits. He struck out Collin Cowgill swinging and retired
Howie Kendrick on a fly ball. But Trout and Pujols wouldnt let Hernandez finish
it off. He struck out nine and walked two. Closer Fernando Rodney entered and
got David Freese to line out for his 13th save of the season. "He was strong. He
felt great. Its just tough there, you have to weigh the players but also what is
good for the team," McClendon said. "I had my closer up and he was ready to go
so we thought it was the best matchup." Hernandez struck out five of the first
nine batters by changing up his game plan. He relied more on his fastball early
and went to off speed pitches later in the game. Kendrick ended any thoughts of
another special night from Hernandez with a solid single leading off the fourth.
Trout then walked, but Hernandez skirted the jam thanks to Zunino throwing out
Kendrick trying to steal third and Freeses strikeout. The only other hit before
the ninth was Erick Aybars single in the fifth. "We really didnt get a chance to
pressure him much and the couple of times we did we couldnt get the runs
across," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. NOTES: Matt Shoemaker will start
Thursdays series finale for the Angels. He was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake
after LHP Sean Burnett tore a ligament in his pitching elbow in Tuesdays game.
LHP Wade LeBlanc, the original starter, will now work out of the bullpen. ...
Seattle RHP Taijuan Walker (shoulder) made his first rehab start at Triple-A
Tacoma on Wednesday night and threw three innings, giving up five hits, four
earned runs and striking out three. He threw 61 pitches.
Cooper Kupp
Jersey . Huntington doesnt want to help run the club unless Hurdle is in
the dugout. The combination thats returned the franchise to respectability will
remain intact for years to come.
John Johnson Womens
Jersey . Jacobs scored two in the first end, but Jahr briefly took charge
with two in the second end and two more in the third. Jacobs, from Sault. Marie,
Ont., gave Canada some breathing room, following his big fourth end by adding
two more points in the fifth to go up 7-4.
http://www.laramsfootballshops.com/josh-reynolds-jersey/ . -- Jack Del Rio only wanted to talk about the Cowboys, not the
Trojans.MINNEAPOLIS - After joining Cleveland for the final month, Jason Kubel
found himself in a familiar place in Minnesota when the Indians finished the
regular season. During that series with the Twins, Kubel stopped in the home
clubhouse to see some of his old teammates and coaches. Manager Ron Gardenhire
got to the point. "I said, Why arent you in this clubhouse?" Gardenhire
recalled. "He said, Well, lets talk over the winter. And we talked." Less than
three months later, Kubel signed with the Twins. Hell be at spring training next
month on a minor league contract, but if he is added to the 40-man roster he
would receive a $2 million base salary. There are bonuses built in, too:
$150,000 each for 300 and 350 plate appearances and $200,000 for 400 plate
appearances; and $150,000 each for 30 and 60 days on the active major league
roster, excluding time on the disabled list, and $200,000 for 90 days on the
active major league roster. Thats an extra $1 million waiting for him if hes
healthy and productive enough to re-establish himself as an everyday player.
"The guy can put some swings on the ball and put it in the seats. He can carry a
ballclub," Gardenhire said. "Im not saying hes here to do that, but I think hes
going to be very valuable for us if he comes and proves that in spring training
that hes still good and healthy." Kubel isnt the only former Twins standout whos
back for a second time. Shortstop Jason Bartlett was signed to a minor league
deal and will be in camp vying for a spot. General manager Terry Ryan also
confirmed over the weekend the team has maintained interest in two-time American
League Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana, who is recovering from a second
surgery on the left shoulder that kept him out of the 2011 and 2013 seasons.
Santana probably wont be ready to pitch until the summer, and hed surely have
other teams to pick from. But the theme the Twins are following is clear:
leadership ability and winning experience, two important traits theyve largely
lacked the last three years while losing at least 96 games each time. Bartlett
and Kubel are past their prime, a decline accelerated by injuries, but if theyre
healthy they could help enhance the roster. Pedro Florimon is a slick fielder,
buut even for a shortstop a .
Josh Reynolds
Jersey. 78 career on-base percentage wont cut it for long. If the
27-year-old wins the job again, Bartlett could still be in line for a utility
spot, competing with Eduardo Escobar. "I feel like a rookie again," Bartlett
said over the weekend at the teams annual fan festival, held at Target Field for
the first time. Bartlett was traded to Tampa Bay before the 2008 season. He went
to the World Series that fall and had a career year in 2009. But his production
sharply decreased in 2010, and he was traded to San Diego. Limited by a sprained
right knee in 2012, Bartlett was released that summer batting just .133. He
didnt play at all in 2013, and he thought his career could be over. He had
surgery to fix the knee, though, and the 34-year-old said hes been working out
pain-free since. Before choosing the Twins, however, he had to talk to the boss.
"He was concerned about if he had a chance to make the club, and I said,
Absolutely. You come into my spring training and you prove youre healthy, I know
youre a winner. I know you know how to play," Gardenhire said. Kubel signed
shortly after Bartlett. "Jason Tyner called me and said, Whats going on? Is this
an old-timers game? Do I need to pack my bag or what?" Bartlett said. "That was
funny. We have good memories here." Including, of course, the 2006 season when
the Twins went 96-66, one game behind the New York Mets and Yankees for the best
record in baseball. "We both have been on this team when we were doing well,"
said Kubel, who also spent time at TwinsFest. "They kind of wanted to bring that
attitude back. Theyve got the right guys to do that with." Kubel signed with
Arizona for two years and $15 million prior to the 2012 season, but last year he
was bothered by knee and quadriceps trouble on his left leg and stumbled to
career lows in every significant statistical category. He was designated for
assignment and then traded to Cleveland. Just two years ago, though, he hit 30
homers and drove in 90 runs for the Diamondbacks. There are openings in the
outfield for him to fill. "It just didnt work out last year," he said. "Healthy
now. No issues. ... Im just really excited to get started."
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