If you’re like me, you’ve gone around the internet trying to defend Danny Hultzen and still heard many people call him nothing more than a “number three starter” that won’t amount to a whole lot in the big leagues.

Also if you’re like me, you’ve seen Hultzen just go out there about his business every start and wind up with a W and a lower ERA than he had before. Hultzen gave up five runs in his first start of the season and has now given up five earned runs in his previous nine starts combined.

Last night against Pensacola he went 6 innings, allowed 5 hits, 0 R, 2 BB, and 5 K, lowering his ERA to 1.59 and upping his record to 5-3. Hultzen has pitched 56.2 innings on the season and has 61 K, 27 BB and a .155 batting average against.

Denny Almonte provided the offense for Jackson, going 2-for-4 with a HR and 3 RBI and Nick Franklin went 2-for-3 with two doubles to up his average to .340.

The Mariners might suck right now, but the future hasn’t looked this bright in over 20 years.