American League Preview from The Sports Network
Saturday, April 7th
(All times Eastern)
Seattle Mariners (2-1) at Oakland Athletics (1-2), 9:05 p.m.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Seattle - Felix Hernandez (0-0, 1.12)
Oakland - Bartolo Colon (1-0, 1.12)
(Sports Network) - It was the same old story for Felix Hernandez in his opener
against Oakland two weeks ago. Tonight, he again hopes for a little run
support when the Mariners conclude a brief two-game set with the Athletics at
the Coliseum.
Hernandez, who was pushed back a day so he could start next week's home
opener, was terrific on Opening Day in Japan, as he allowed a run and five
hits in eight innings. He also struck out six, but was denied a decision in
his team's 3-1 extra-inning win.
The right-hander, who will turn 26 on Sunday, faced the A's 22 times and is an
impressive 12-4 against them with a 2.47 ERA.
Oakland, meanwhile, will rely on veteran righty Bartolo Colon, who was
absolutely brilliant in his debut versus the Mariners on March 29. Colon
scattered three hits and run in eight innings to nail down the win.
"One of the reasons we brought him in was his veteran presence," A's manager
Bob Melvin said after that win. "He's the perfect guy to pitch in a game like
this. We lose last night in a tough game and he goes out there and does his
thing for us."
In 30 starts against the Mariners Colon is 15-11 with a 4.01 ERA.
On Friday, Chone Figgins and Kyle Seager each knocked in two runs, helping
Seattle to a 7-3 win. Ichiro Suzuki and Jesus Montero each drove in a run for
the Mariners, who had 13 hits.
"I think you saw a number of our guys put up the type of at-bats that you want
to see," Mariners manager Eric Wedge said.
Jason Vargas (1-0) gave up two runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings to pick up
his first win of the season.
Yoenis Cespedes hit a two-run homer and became the first player in Oakland
Athletics history to homer twice in his first three major league games. Since
1918, the only other Athletic to homer twice in his first three games was
fellow Cuban, Bert Campaneris.
Brandon McCarthy (0-1) allowed five runs -- two earned -- on seven hits over
five full frames. He fell to 2-6 lifetime against Seattle.
"The whole game was very disappointing to me," A's manager Bob Melvin said.
"You want to put on a good show. We don't get many crowds like that."
Seattle was 10-9 against the A's last season.
04/07 10:30:03 ET
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