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<< Previous   of   Next >> Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press  (click to enlarge) Seattle starter Felix Hernandez allowed just two hits and struck out six in the Mariners’ 5-0 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 Hernandez shuts down the Padres Seattle wins 5-0, hands San Diego its major-league record 12th straight interleague loss Associated Press SAN DIEGO -- When Felix Hernandez had his worst outing of the season in May, Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu had seen enough. Wakamatsu had a heart-to-heart talk with his talented pitcher and the results since have been phenomenal. Hernandez threw his fifth consecutive outstanding game, tossing a two-hitter in a complete game against San Diego and leading the Mariners to a 5-0 victory on Tuesday night. It was the Padres' record 12th consecutive interleague loss. Since allowing six runs and 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings in a 6-5 loss on May 19 against the Los Angeles Angels, Hernandez has given up one earned run or less in his past five starts. He is 3-0 with an ERA of 0.72 in that stretch, having allowed just three runs in 37 2/3 innings. "From that point on, I've seen a different pitcher," Wakamatsu said. Hernandez pitched with ease in shutting down the Padres for his third career shutout and sixth career complete game. "I felt pretty good tonight," Hernandez said. "All the pitches felt pretty good. I had great command." Franklin Gutierrez and Adrian Beltre each hit solo homers to help spark the M's offense. San Diego set a major-league record with its 12th straight loss in interleague play to snap a tie with the New York Mets. The Padres have lost four straight interleague games this season and last won in 2007. San Diego is 5-22 in interleague games since June 20, 2007. Seattle won its ninth straight game at Petco Park, but it was the Mariners' first interleague win of the season after being swept over the weekend in a three-game set at Colorado. Hernandez (7-3) allowed just a leadoff single to Kevin Kouzmanoff in the third inning and Tony Gwynn Jr.'s leadoff single in the ninth. Kouzmanoff got to third with two outs, but Hernandez retired Luis Rodriguez on a fly ball to end the game. "You could always tell he was going to be good," Mariners catcher Jamie Burke said. "But he is starting to mature and you can see it in his pitching. He doesn't seem like he's 23." Hernandez struck out six, walked three and hit a batter against San Diego, which was shut out for the second straight game. "He was ready to pitch, he was focused," said Wakamatsu, who added he would have replaced Hernandez in the ninth if he had not retired Brian Giles on a grounder with runners on first and second. "I would have had to rip him off the mound," Wakamatsu joked. When told of Wakamatsu's remarks, Hernandez said, "Huh? Heck no, nope." During their 12-game interleague losing streak, the Padres have been outscored 77-28. San Diego, coming off a three-game sweep by the Angels, have lost 12 of 16 games overall. "(Hernandez) was throwing four pitches for strikes," said San Diego's Chase Headley. "When a guy does that it's tough anyway. But when a guy who has above average stuff does it, it makes it even tougher." Kevin Correia (3-5) had won his previous two starts, but the two home runs he allowed were too much to overcome. Gutierrez homered in the third and Beltre hit his home run in the seventh for the only two hits allowed by Correia, who tied his career high by pitching eight innings. "I threw a couple of mistakes to these two guys," he said. "I just ran into a hot pitcher right now." The Padres have 11 more interleague games before facing an NL opponent on June 29 when they're at home against Houston. Seattle added three runs in the ninth off Mike Adams, including a two-run single by Ken Griffey Jr. and Jose Lopez's sacrifice fly. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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