LARRY NESS
Seattle Mariners
Felix Hernandez struggled against NL West teams Arizona and Colorado in his last two outings, although he managed to earn win No. 13 Monday despite surrendering four runs and 11 hits over 6.2 innings in an 8-7 road triumph over the Rockies. That followed him getting reached for a season-high 12 hits and seven runs in losing to the D’backs on July 29 in Seattle. "He's done that time and time again for us, when we've needed a big win, particularly when he's come off a tough start," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon told MLB's official website. "He's more determined than ever." Hernandez can become the AL's first 14-game winner when the Seattle Mariners ace takes on the Texas Rangers in the rubber match of this three-game series Sunday at Safeco Field.
The Rangers appeared to be slipping out of the playoff race following an embarrassing 21-5 blowout loss to the New York Yankees. However, the Rangers have righted the ship with EIGHT wins in their last 10 games and can capture their third straight series win with a victory on Sunday. Texas dropped 21 of 31 after climbing six games over .500 on June 19, a skid that was punctuated by that July 28 rout by the Yankees. The Rangers rallied for a four-game split in that series and Saturday’s 11-3 win was highlighted by EIGHT runs in the 11th inning to best the Mariners, 11-3! Texas trails Houston by 4 1/2 games in the American League West, which is its smallest deficit since June 27. Texas also sits just three games out of the mad wild card race.
Colby Lewis (12-4, 4.68) get the nod for Texas and how many realize he goes for win No. 13 on Sunday? He’s won four consecutive starts while often backed by strong run support. That was the case in his last outing, when he allowed SEVEN runs and three HRs in six innings during Monday's 12-9 decision over Houston. However, Lewis is 8-1 over his past 12 starts (Rangers are 8-4) and has won four straight on the road while posting a 2.48 ERA. “King Felix” goes for win No. 14 but Texas has had plenty of success in the past against him, as Hernandez is 14-21 (by far his most losses to one opponent) with a 3.92 ERA in 44 career starts (Seattle is just 17-27).
However, Hernandez has fared pretty well within the division in 2015, going 6-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 10 starts (Seattle is 7-3). He has a 1.98 ERA in winning each of his two starts against the Rangers this year, including a 3-1 decision at Safeco Field on April 18, when he struck out 12 in seven innings while yielding a run and two hits. Let me also note that Texas’ 11th-inning explosion last night, helped the Rangers end a SIX-game losing streak to the Mariners. “King Felix” to the rescue.
Seattle Mariners
Felix Hernandez struggled against NL West teams Arizona and Colorado in his last two outings, although he managed to earn win No. 13 Monday despite surrendering four runs and 11 hits over 6.2 innings in an 8-7 road triumph over the Rockies. That followed him getting reached for a season-high 12 hits and seven runs in losing to the D’backs on July 29 in Seattle. "He's done that time and time again for us, when we've needed a big win, particularly when he's come off a tough start," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon told MLB's official website. "He's more determined than ever." Hernandez can become the AL's first 14-game winner when the Seattle Mariners ace takes on the Texas Rangers in the rubber match of this three-game series Sunday at Safeco Field.
The Rangers appeared to be slipping out of the playoff race following an embarrassing 21-5 blowout loss to the New York Yankees. However, the Rangers have righted the ship with EIGHT wins in their last 10 games and can capture their third straight series win with a victory on Sunday. Texas dropped 21 of 31 after climbing six games over .500 on June 19, a skid that was punctuated by that July 28 rout by the Yankees. The Rangers rallied for a four-game split in that series and Saturday’s 11-3 win was highlighted by EIGHT runs in the 11th inning to best the Mariners, 11-3! Texas trails Houston by 4 1/2 games in the American League West, which is its smallest deficit since June 27. Texas also sits just three games out of the mad wild card race.
Colby Lewis (12-4, 4.68) get the nod for Texas and how many realize he goes for win No. 13 on Sunday? He’s won four consecutive starts while often backed by strong run support. That was the case in his last outing, when he allowed SEVEN runs and three HRs in six innings during Monday's 12-9 decision over Houston. However, Lewis is 8-1 over his past 12 starts (Rangers are 8-4) and has won four straight on the road while posting a 2.48 ERA. “King Felix” goes for win No. 14 but Texas has had plenty of success in the past against him, as Hernandez is 14-21 (by far his most losses to one opponent) with a 3.92 ERA in 44 career starts (Seattle is just 17-27).
However, Hernandez has fared pretty well within the division in 2015, going 6-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 10 starts (Seattle is 7-3). He has a 1.98 ERA in winning each of his two starts against the Rangers this year, including a 3-1 decision at Safeco Field on April 18, when he struck out 12 in seven innings while yielding a run and two hits. Let me also note that Texas’ 11th-inning explosion last night, helped the Rangers end a SIX-game losing streak to the Mariners. “King Felix” to the rescue.
