Felix Dominates, Earns Ejection As M’s Roll

May 12, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) reacts after being ejected by the home plate umpire during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Felix Hernandezhasn’t pitched against the Tampa Bay Rays in Seattle in quite some time. Last time he did he threw a perfect game, which, I’m sorry, is still the greatest sporting accomplishment by any athlete in the history of Seattle. While everyone knew he wasn’t going to do it again, the Rays history of being on the wrong end of these things and Felix’s own undeniable Felix-ness made it seem at least possible. What Felix didn’t do was throw a perfect game. What Felix did do was dominate. And get ejected.

From the first inning the King was obviously peeved at Mark Ripperger’s strike zone. He worked around the ump’s shortcomings, refusing to issue a single walk and blowing seven hitters away with strikeouts. He allowed eight hits, four of which came in Tampa Bay’s four-run seventh. Three singles set the stage forRyan Hanigan‘s bases-clearing double, after whichTom Wilhelmsencame in (and let Felix’s fourth runner score). Having already been pulled, Hernandez started yelling about balls and strikes and got himself tossed. It sounds like Felix had a good time doing it, and was smart enough to wait until his day was done before earning himself an early trip to the clubhouse. Felix is the best at a lot of things, and now we can add “getting ejected” to the list.

Cesar Ramosisn’t exactly the kind of pitcher you expect anything from ever, and against the Mariners he was predictably bad. The M’s got three in the first asJames Jonesdoubled andStefen Romerosingled. These two were expected to spend 2014 at AAA and both are off to fine starts in the bigs. Cool, cool.Robinson CanoandCorey Hartbothhad home run calls reviewed and overturned in back to back plate appearances, with Cano’s becoming an RBI double and Hart’s becoming an RBI single as he was thrown out at second.

Things only got worse for Ramos in the second, asMike Zuninoled off with a big homer and Romero doubled in a run after consecutive throwing errors put two men on. Cano added an RBI sac fly,Kyle Seagerpitched in an RBI single, andDustin Ackleyreached onanothererror, which scored a run. Another run scored in the third, still against Ramos. The Rays hurler settled down and got a string of outs following this, but the damage was done. Romero andJustin Smoakeach homered in the eighth. This game was a lot of fun.

Great pitching matchup tonight:Hisashi Iwakumavs.David Price. ACy Youngwinner against a Cy Young finalist, you say? Works for me. 7:10 start time. Expect less offense. Maybe way less.

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