King Felix takes hill against Angels
(SportsNetwork.com) - The Seattle Mariners will try to make up some ground in the American League West as they send Felix Hernandez to the mound to battle the L.A. Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium Sunday in a three-game series finale.
Hernandez will have to come back from a rough start he suffered against the Royals on Monday, in which he gave up a season-high nine hits. Hector Santiago will be the starter for the Angels.
Hernandez hasn't been so rock solid lately, considering his earned run averaged has jumped up by nearly a full point over his last four starts. King Felix was tagged with four runs given up on nine hits over 6 2/3 innings against Kansas City Monday. The loss was his second in his last three starts.
That doesn't change the fact he's still second in the majors with 10 wins. He owns a 10-4 record with a 3.24 ERA and 92 strikeouts over 97 1/3 innings on the mound this season.
In 42 career starts versus the Angels, Hernandez is 13-13 with a respectable 3.41 ERA, and has held Los Angeles batters to a .241 average at the plate.
The lefty Santiago hasn't been able to pick up a win since a May 29 start against Detroit. But in that span of five starts, he's only had one loss. Santiago enters the Sunday contest with a 4-4 mark and a 2.68 ERA.
Santiago pitched well against Houston on Monday in his latest outing, but was still hit with a no-decision. The lefty went six innings and gave up just one run on two hits. His Angels were victorious, 4-3.
In nine starts at home this season, Santiago is 2-1 with an impressive 2.38 ERA, and is holding opposing hitters to a .196 batting average against.
It's worth noting that Seattle second baseman Robinson Cano missed Saturday's game after an errant warmup throw hit him in the head. There was noticeable swelling on his forehead, and he is being checked for a concussion.
Garrett Richards was in action for Los Angeles on Saturday, and performed exceptionally well as his Angels picked up the 4-2 victory.
Richards nearly completed eight full innings, hurling 7 2/3 frames with two runs on seven hits allowed and six strikeouts. He received some early run support in the home half of the first inning and never looked back.
Kole Calhoun sent a two-run homer to right to put the Angels up, 2-0. Johnny Giavotella and Carlos Perez each plated a run for the hosts in the win. Calhoun's home run was his seventh of the season. The right fielder now has 34 RBIs as well.
J.A. Happ was hit with the loss for the Mariners. He lasted seven innings and surrendered all four Angels runs on five hits with six punch outs.
Mike Zunino plated Seattle's first run in the sixth inning, and homered to center in the eighth to close out the scoring for the visitors.
Seattle lost despite having more hits (eight) than the Angels (six).
Los Angeles owns the series lead this season against Seattle, 5-3.