King Felix, Peguero Combine to Blast Rays

June 2, 2011

A: Seattle Mariners

Attendance: 16,376

L: James Shields (5-4) 2.77 ERA

Summary:

Two of the major’s best pitchers were on the hill last night, but Felix Hernandez came away as the victor as the Mariners blasted James Shields for four homers including two by Carlos Peguero. The Mariners started their barrage in the second when Jack Cust led off the inning with a homer. Peguero ended the scoring with a three run homer to give the M’s 5-0 lead. They would eventually extend that lead to 8-0 through four which was more than enough for King Felix.

I thought if there was one sure thing going into the night, it was that Kelly Shoppach was going to have a tough time against the strikeout artist. I predicted an 0 for 4 night with three punchouts. He went 0 for 3 with 3 K’s. John Jaso pinch hit for him and also struck out. Hernandez got 11 through seven innings and the M’s combined for 13. The eighth and ninth slots in the order combined for six of those.

The one highlight of the night, as far as the Rays are concerned was of course Matt Joyce. Batting second, he doubled in the first and later homered in the eighth off of lefty Aaron Laffey. He’s proving himself to be just a good all around hitter no matter who he is facing and it’s time for Joe Maddon to realize this. Maddon has either benched Joyce or batted him down in the order. Joyce homered off of the Rangers’ C.J. Wilson, a very tough lefty, in a key spot on Tuesday. He delivered again last night and is now hitting a respectable .276/.364/.586 in limited playing time against southpaws.

Player of the Game: Carlos Peguero