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Felix Triumphant in Duel with Sale, 3-1

By Collin Ferguson

Aug 15, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) reacts after he is taken out of the game during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) reacts after he is taken out of the game during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Mariners defeated the White Sox 3-1 in a duel of the best starting pitchers in the American League in Chicago.

The Mariners scored a run in the second, third, and fourth innings to take a 3-0 lead. Franklin Gutierrez got things started with an opposite field jack over the right center field wall.

In the third, the Mariners had their best chance to take control of the game. Leonys Martin attempted to give himself up on a sacrifice bunt, but Todd Frazier double clutched on the throw, loading the bases with nobody out. However, only one run was scored when Sale got Guillermo Heredia to ground into a double play.

Adam Lind‘s career has been all about hitting right handed pitching. He understandably hasn’t had the same success against south-paws. With two outs and Nelson Cruz in scoring position, Lind lined a 3-1 fastball well over J.B. Schuck in left center field for a huge RBI double.

Aug 25, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Adam Lind (26) hits a single against the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 25, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Adam Lind (26) hits a single against the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

Sale was dominant from that point on. He retired 6 batters in a row via the “K” in the sixth and seventh and ended up pitching all nine innings. He didn’t give up another run, or hit for that matter. Chris retired the last 16 batters he faced in order, and struck out a season high 14 batters (previous high: 10). He certainly gave the White Sox offense every opportunity to come back against Felix.

While it was a great effort from “the King,” it wasn’t without a bit of drama. Felix shut Chicago’s offense down for almost seven innings before giving up a Todd Frazier solo home run with two outs in the seventh to cut the lead to two runs.

Aug 25, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier (21) hits a walk off single against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning at U.S. Cellular Field. The White Sox won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 25, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier (21) hits a walk off single against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning at U.S. Cellular Field. The White Sox won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

It was not certain early on whether Felix would be able to continue past the first couple frames. Hernandez appeared to be bothered by his lower half again. Let’s pray it is nothing too serious.

Felix got into trouble again in the eighth, when the Sox blooped and bleeded their way into loading the bases with just one out.

Thankfully, a well-rested Edwin Diaz came to the rescue. Diaz retired the last two batters on just four pitches in the eighth without giving up a run. He followed that up by striking out the middle of the Sox lineup in order. The first buckled former AL MVP Justin Morneau with a slider, and two 100-mph high fastballs got Frazier and Omar Narvaez to end the game.

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It wasn’t without help. Shawn O’Malley made a great play on a slow roller to throw out Avisail Garcia at home. O’Malley made quite a few nice plays today, filling in for Kyle Seager at third base.

Cheers to Edwin for his first five-out save, and a perfect 11 out of 11 still in save opportunities. Kudos as well to Felix, who ended the Mariners three-game losing streak. Finally, mucho gusto Franklin Gutierrez. He ended an 0-15 skid with his solo home run in the second.

Tomorrow’s Probables: Ariel Miranda gets his fourth start since coming over from the Baltimore Orioles’ farm system. He allowed three runs on four hits in 5.2 IP against Milwaukie in his last start. Jose Quintana used to be one of the most underrated starting pitcher in the league. With him making the All Star game this year, that is no longer the case. Quintana picked up his 10th win in his last outing.

Ariel Miranda 1-0, 5.49 ERA vs. Jose Quintana 10-9, 2.84 ERA

MLB Transactions: It is expected that Desmond Jennings will be released from the Devil Rays on Saturday. Arizona Diamondbacks activated CF A.J. Pollock from the 60-day disabled list, it was originally believed he would miss the entire season. Chicago White Sox traded C Dioner Navarro to Toronto Blue Jays for LHP Colton Turner.

MLB News: Yesterday in L.A., with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Corey Seager broke up Giants pitcher Matt Moore‘s no-hit bid. The Giants won 4-0.

Today’s Date in Mariners History: It was not the best day in Mariners history, but it was historic.

Next: Seahawks Beat Cowboys in Dress Rehearsal

In his first game after six weeks on the disabled list, Bo Jackson” href=”http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Bo_Jackson” rel=”nofollow”>Bo Jackson homers in his first at bat, off Randy Johnson” href=”http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Randy_Johnson” rel=”nofollow”>Randy Johnson, to tie a major-league record with four consecutive homers. Bo adds a single and double as Kansas City rolls by Seattle, 8 – 2.

By Collin Ferguson at Collin-Ferguson.com & EmeraldCitySwagger.com

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