The Royals finally scored off Felix Hernandez in the fifth, cutting Seattle’s lead to 4-1. Eric Hosmer doubled, took third on a groundout and scored on a single by Chris Getz. That snaps Hernandez’s scoreless innings streak at 19 2/3.
12:23 p.m.: Seattle added a run in the fifth to take a 4-0 lead. Ichiro doubled with one out, advanced to third on a wild pitch and then scored on a single to left field by Jesus Montero.
11:52 a.m.: Once again, the Mariners are exposing another Class AAA starter offered up by the Royals, taking a 3-0 lead into the third inning. All three Seattle runs came in the second off Will Smith, starting with a leadoff homer to center by Jesus Montero in which center fielder Jarrod Dyson forgot there was a warning track and crashed full-on into the wall. It was actually pretty funny to see if you can find a replay someplace. Dyson was unhurt, or I wouldn’t be laughing at it.
Two more singles after that in rapid succession by Kyle Seager and Justin Smoak, then a bunt by John Jaso and an RBI single by Michael Saunders got another run home. Brendan Ryan hit a sacrifice fly after that for the third run.
Felix Hernandez has given up two singles in each of his first two innings, but got out of both with help from double-play grounders. The M’s have outscored the Royals 17-3 in the first two innings of games this series.
10:37 a.m.: They should not be allowed to play day games in certain cities at this time of the year. Unfortunately, because of travel and such, it becomes inevitable and that’s why we have the Mariners getting set to take on the Kansas City Royals in temperatures that should be well above 100 degrees. Last night’s gametime temp of 103 marked the 17th time in club history that a game had been played above the 100-mark.
The weather in the area right now is said to be in the very high 90s and is expected to climb between 101 and 106 this afternoon. At the Fox Sports Kansas City twitter account, they have a photo of a bobblehead doll with a thermometer down on the field and it shows a reading of about 109.
So, have fun Felix Hernandez. By the way, although Hernandez is from Venezuela, his hometown of Valencia isn’t exactly known for excessive heat.
His mound opponent is the Fresh Prince of Omaha himself, Will Smith, called up from Class AAA Omaha today in order to make the start.
John Jaso finally gets his long-awaited start this series. He’ll be behind the plate catching Hernandez while Jesus Montero is the DH.
The lineups:
MARINERS
2B Dustin Ackley
RF Ichiro
LF Casper Wells
DH Jesus Montero
3B Kyle Seager
1B Justin Smoak
C John Jaso
CF Michael Saunders
SS Brendan Ryan
RHP Felix Hernandez
ROYALS
LF Alex Gordon
SS Alcides Escobar
DH Billy Butler
3B Mike Moustakas
RF Lorenzo Cain
1B Eric Hosmer
C Salvador Perez
2B Chris Getz
CF Jarrod Dyson
LHP Will Smith