Best starting pitcher now also the best hitter

It's been clear for a while that Felix Hernandez is far and away Seattle's best starting pitcher.

What we didn't know until just now is that he may be the team's best hitter, too.

Hernandez needed just one pitch to do what Seattle hitters have resolutely avoided doing, getting men in scoring postition.

And he did it against two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana, hitting Santana's first pitch for an opposite-field grand slam in the second inning Monday.

It was the first homer ever by a Mariner pitcher.

It was, in fact, one of the nicest moments of a year that has not had many.

Posted by at June 23, 2008 4:39 p.m.

Comments

#142688

Posted by my thoughts at 6/23/08 4:43 p.m.

Felix at 1b or dh. I don't care which, just get it done.

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#142691

Posted by jeff1974 at 6/23/08 4:49 p.m.

Maybe we could trade him to a national league team for some value,I wonder how many pitchers have ever hit grand slam.

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#142693

Posted by swiftsure at 6/23/08 4:55 p.m.

Quite a few pitchers have hit salamis. It's somewhat rare, not unheard of.

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#142703

Posted by EdgarEstaCaliente at 6/23/08 5:29 p.m.

The way Felix tried to stay in there was impressive. I just hope Bedard felt some shame standing on the sidelines, after asking to be called out three games in a row, while Felix begged for a second throw.

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#142710

Posted by boydman at 6/23/08 5:56 p.m.

It would be nice, EEC, to think Bedard would feel shame for being a wussbag. On the other hand, from Bedard's point of view, this season is clearly going nowhere. The Mariners, barring a miracle of Biblical proportions, will not even sniff the playoffs. Why risk injury in that scenario, if you're Bedard? Other than professional pride, of course?

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#142723

Posted by coughuskydad at 6/23/08 6:37 p.m.

Too bad Pete Rose is still banned from baseball. He could give the other 24 Mariners some lessons on how the game should be played. Felix plays it right. I never saw Pete duck out of the way running to second on a double play. Oh thats right, millionaires don't do that stuff.

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#142736

Posted by seattle4ever at 6/23/08 7:21 p.m.

way to go young king!get well soon.

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