Twins at Mariners
Felix Hernandez looks to remain undefeated when the Seattle Mariners open a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Friday. Hernandez has allowed just one run and two hits in each of his two home outings this season while getting off to a strong start.
Minnesota first baseman Joe Mauer typically fares well against Hernandez
– .378 with two homers in 45 career at-bats – and reached base four
times on two hits and two walks in Wednesday’s 3-0 victory over the
Kansas City Royals. The road win was only the second in nine games for
the Twins, who halted a four-game road skid. Seattle has split the first
six contests of a nine-game homestand and posted a 3-2 victory over the
Houston Astros on Wednesday. Mariners shortstop Brad Miller has been
hot by going 9-for-18 with four RBIs over the past six games.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), ROOT (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Phil Hughes (0-3, 5.30 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (2-0, 2.37)
Hughes
has struggled early in the season to continue a history of slow starts –
he is 6-15 with a 6.05 ERA in 31 career April starts. “It’s a slow
progression and it’s not like the light bulb just goes on and you’re in
midseason form,” Hughes told reporters. “You gain a little bit of arm
strength and command as you go along.” Hughes allowed four runs and
eight hits in 6 2/3 innings while losing to Cleveland in his last
outing.
Hernandez tossed a dominating seven innings and struck
out a season-best 12 while beating Texas in his last outing. It was a
stellar performance when you consider he suffered a quadriceps injury in
his previous start and there was a question whether he’d make his turn.
Hernandez is 7-5 with a 2.08 ERA in 16 career appearances against
Minnesota.
WALK-OFFS
1. Seattle signed former All-Star OF Carlos Quentin to a minor-league contract.
2. Minnesota RF Torii Hunter is batting .320 in 75 career at-bats against Hernandez.
3. Mariners slugger Nelson Cruz is 3-for-18 with a homer against Hughes.