Oakland jumps on Felix, Mariners early in final game of 2016
10/2 vs OAK by TOM HAYDEN
FINISHING 2016 RECORD - 86-76 | 2015 - 76-86
The Mariners were narrowly defeated on Sunday afternoon on what was a beautiful day in Seattle, a beautiful day for the final contest of what was a great 2016 season. Falling by a final score of 3-2 to the A's, it was a battle of defenses for sure. Sunday was Felix Day at the Safe as the King took the ball for his final start of the 2016 season. Hernandez didn't have his best day, however, as Oakland bats found ways to put up their runs early on him. Hernandez said in a press conference following the game that he knew he needed to get into better shape over this off-season, so he will pitch in a winter league and for his home of Venezuela in the 2016 World Baseball Classic. A handful of other pitchers will also look into getting off-season surgery. RHP Tony Zych, RHP Steve Cishek, and RHP Taijuan Walker are among those considering this. 2B Robinson Canó will play in the World Baseball Classic for his home as well, the Dominican Republic, this off-season. Back on track to Game 162 on Sunday, however, the Mariners suffered their 76th loss of the season, a 10-game improvement from last year. The 2016 Seattle Mariners finished with a final record of 86-76, whereas last year, the M's finished with a W-L record of 76-86. This team is certainly moving in the right direction, and I will be happy to be a part of it.
On the mound in this one, RHP Felix Hernandez took the ball for what was his 25th and final start of 2016. Hernandez went 3.0 innings giving up 3 runs on 4 hits (earned) while walking none and striking out 3 A's on the day. Felix gave up a solo home run to Stephen Vogt in the first inning. Unfortunately, Felix finishes 2016 with a W-L record of 11-8, and an ERA of 3.82 in just over 150.0 innings pitched. In relief in this one, SHP Pat Venditte (5.73 ERA) got things started going 2.0 innings giving up 2 hits, with 2 walks and a strikeout. RHP Cody Martin (3.86 ERA) then went 2.0 innings giving up just 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 1. RHP Arquimedes Caminero (3.56 ERA) went 1.0 inning tossing a walk and a strikeout. RHP Dan Altavilla (0.73 ERA) then finished up the 2016 season for the Mariners on the mound going 1.0 inning with a pair of strikeouts.
Offensively in this one, the M's combined to put up 2 runs on 6 hits off of Oakland pitching. CF Guillermo Heredia (.250 AVG) went 2-for-4 with a single and a 2-run double in this one. The double was Heredia's 3rd of the season. Heredia's 2-RBI day from the double late in the ball game now gives him 12 for the year. 2B Mike Freeman (.227 AVG) got the start at second base as Robinson Canó batted as the DH in the ball game. Freeman went 2-for-3 at the dish with a pair of singles. LF Ben Gamel (.188 AVG) went 1-for-3 with his 2nd double of the season. 1B Dae-Ho Lee (.253 AVG) went 1-for-3 as well with a single. 3B Kyle Seager (.278 AVG) launched a ball that would've went right over that right field Safeco wall, but unfortunately was robbed in the bottom of the ninth inning. The homer would've have not only tied the game up, but it would've been for Kyle Seager's 100th RBI of the season, and 31st home run.
WHAT'S NEXT? :
Unfortunately, we have to wait a bit until we play some Mariners Baseball again. #Mariners365 will be back for sure covering games starting in late February 2017, as the M's head to Peoria, Arizona for some Cactus League Baseball. Until then, however, we do have a long off-season. Mariners 365 is called "Mariners 365" for a reason. No matter what day of the year, I'll be tweeting, instagramming, discussing, and writing about all things Mariners' Baseball. There will be a few detailed Blogs to come discussing individual stats from the 2016 season, as well as projections for 2017. Preparation for 2017 starts now. Follow @Mariners365 on Twitter for plenty of things to interact with over the Off-Season. Also, @Mariners365 will be coming back to Instagram in November, and will be used daily throughout the 2017 season, just like the twitter is.
This is Tom Hayden, signing off for the last time of 2016, saying Go Mariners! Stay #TrueToTheBlue.
