Game 76, Mariners at Mets
Santana vs Hernandez, 4:10 pm.
In a season of haystacks, June 23rd is a needle. It is the oasis in a dry land. It is Shindler’s List in the middle of a Ben Affleck marathon. It is Johan Santana versus Felix Hernandez.
At 29 years old, Johan isn’t quite what he was a few years ago, but he’s still one of the game’s elites. He dominates with a change-up-of-doom, impeccable command, and a knowledge of how to pitch. He’s won the Cy Young award twice and has finished in the top seven in each of the last five years. He is what we want Felix to become.
Felix, at just 22 years old, is already one of the best pitchers alive. We’ve talked about his inconsistency a great deal, but his talent continues to overwhelm his inexperience. In his last start, and the only game I’ll get to attend at Safeco this year, he did this.
Top of the 4th
Jeremy Hermida batting.
1. Changeup, called strike, 0-1
2. Changeup, called strike, 0-2
3. Curveball, swinging strike, K
Jorge Cantu batting.
1. Fastball, called strike, 0-1
2. Fastball, swinging strike, 0-2
3. Fastball, swinging strike, K
Mike Jacobs batting
1. Curveball, called strike, 0-1
2. Fastball, swinging strike, 0-2
3. Slider, called strike, K
When Felix is mixing his pitches and hitting his spots, it’s like watching Mike Tyson in his prime. You can’t hit him, and you probably can’t even make contact. We’ve seen glimpses of the special pitcher that he could be, and when he’s been given a stage, he’s generally stolen the show.
The Venezuelan legend goes up against the kid who threatens to steal his throne. Felix vs Johan. In a season of misery, we have the light of excitement. I can’t wait. Go M’s.
Who didn’t see THIS coming. Look, I know the season is a lost cause but I really want this win just because of how the game has gone.
Was Felix really asking for 1 more pitch?, or was that the radio guys getting all gushy? If so, he’s got guts. Sometimes guts are enough. Take note Bedard, stuff like that, (and exploding birds w/fastballs, wearing mullets long after fashionable, striking out 3 w/9 pitches, hitting GS) are how you become legend….
He definitely asked to try 1 more pitch.
There’s nothing to fear, they’ve got Rhodes in there. Lefties are only hitting .261 against him.
Well that was not what I was hoping to return to after my bus ride home. I mean, we’re winning at the moment, but…
Low slider – in the dirt please
That works! Game.
Well, I’m feeling a little better after Rhodes’ close job but seriously folks: if Felix doesn’t hit a grand slam, we lose 2-1. How pathetic is that? How pathetic is the remainder of a season where we might not even see him? I’m depressed again.
argh – well we WERE facing Santana…
Oh my god, can we get Dan Wilson to replace one of our regular guys? Granted he’s a little flat, but we can work on that.
Erm. Sorry. I meant “replace one of our regular broadcasters.”
No, no — let him hit. That would be better too!
Heck, I’d take a retired Wilson over two or three of our regulars at this point.
I come home, turn on FSN, and see highlight of Felix hitting Grand Slam, and I think “oh my gawd, this cannot be happening.”
Then I see Felix get injured and think “Oh my gawd, this cannot be happening”
You can imagine the looks on my face would be different when those two events happenend, though.
if you get him over on the radio side, tweaking Rizzs, he perks right up.
How come I’m seeing that Corcoran is not getting the win? Didn’t he pitch the 5th with a lead??
Why did RRS get the win instead of Corcoran?
Whoops, duplicate question. Didn’t refresh before I posted.
In a case like this, it’s scorer’s discretion as to who deserved it the most.
I never understood why the starter can’t be included in that discussion. Felix pitched more innings than RRS – it would make more sense to give him the win.