Kingly start from Hernandez gives Mariners 4-0 win over A’s

Published 4:00 pm Sunday, July 9, 2017

SEATTLE — This was like rolling in a birdie putt on 18 after a disappointing round. It renews hope that better times are still within reach.

The Mariners closed their pre-All-Star break schedule Sunday by getting six vintage innings from Felix Hernandez in a 4-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field.

Nelson Cruz hit a two-run homer off Oakland rookie Daniel Gossett and became the seventh different player in Mariners history to reach 70 RBI prior to the All-Star break.

Backup catcher Chooch Ruiz contributed three singles to a seven-hit attack as the Mariners salvaged a split in their four-game series against last-place Oakland and won for just the fourth time in 14 games.

The victory sent the Mariners into the break at 43-47 with 72 games remaining once their season resumes Friday against the White Sox in Chicago.

“We need Felix more than anything else,” Cruz said. “It was nice to see him dominate. He was really on top of his game. Hopefully, that leads to a good second half.”

Hernandez (4-3) gave up just two hits in throwing 100 pitches in his six innings. He struck out eight and walked three before Tony Zych, Marc Rzepczynski, Nick Vincent and Edwin Diaz completed the shutout.

“I had pretty good stuff,” Hernandez said. “From the fastball to the changeup, everything was perfect. I made a good adjustment in the bullpen (after a disappointing start against Kansas City on Tuesday).

“I wanted to get on top of the ball. I did that, and I was able to make good pitches.”

Gossett (1-4) gave up three runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Hernandez pitched around a two-on, no-out jam in the second inning, and Matt Joyce’s one-out double in the third.

That allowed the Mariners to take the lead after Jarrod Dyson opened the third with a walk. Dyson raced to third on Ruiz’s single to left — taking full advantage of left-fielder Khris Davis’ noodle arm.

That extra base permitted Dyson to score when Jean Segura grounded into a double play.

The Mariners’ pushed their lead to 3-0 in the fourth, thanks to their two All-Stars. Robinson Cano led off with a double into the left-center gap, and Cruz followed with a 402-foot homer to center.

Cruz’s homer was his 17th of the season, matching Cano for the club lead, and boosted his league-leading RBI count to 70.

The Mariners knocked out Gossett in the fifth when Dyson and Ruiz opened the inning with singles. Gossett struck out Segura before the Athletics went to their bullpen for lefty Daniel Coulombe.

The threat fizzled when Dyson was thrown out stealing third.

It stayed 3-0 until the Mariners added a run in the seventh inning on Ruiz’s RBI single off John Axford.

“A really positive note going into the break,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “It’s been a struggle for us the last 10-12 days. Felix Hernandez stepped up today. Absolutely the best we’ve seen him all year.”