SB Nation Seattle - Mariners Vs. Rays: Felix Hernandez Pitches Perfect Game

PHOTO: Felix Hernandez And Where The Wild Things Are

2012-08-17T14:00:37Z

It has been two days since Felix Hernandez's perfect game, but Mariners fans are still soaking it all in. Quotes from the night are being remembered, videos from the night are being watched and photos are being saved and edited by savvy photoshoppers. See one of the more creative photos after the jump.

[Video]: Felix Hernandez's Perfect Game (From Five Different Angles At Safeco Field)

2012-08-17T04:38:18Z

Of the cool videos that have surfaced from Seattle Mariners star pitcher Felix Hernandez's perfect game, this one is among the best. It comes to us from ESPN, and features fans with cameras and audio from the Mariners' flagship radio station, ESPN 710 AM in Seattle.

Watch (or relive) and enjoy. Hard to beat a perfect sunny day along Puget Sound. Safeco Field is a gem.

UNITE Felix Hernandez Perfect Game Social Highlight (via ESPNUNITE)

Check out Lookout Landing for more on Felix Hernandez's historic game.

[VIDEO] Mariners Double-A Jackson Generals React To Felix Hernandez Perfect Game

2012-08-16T13:00:39Z

When you throw a perfect game, the ripples of your efforts are felt throughout the organization. Even all the way down to the lowest level of talent on the farm.

Enter the Jackson Generals, the Seattle Mariners Double-A affiliate, who were watching along with the rest of us as King Felix made history. What ensued was an awesome display of camaraderie as the team celebrated in the outfield at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tennessee like they were at Safeco with the M's in Seattle.

Make the jump to see for yourself.

Via the Jackson Baseball Club's YouTube page:

Not only that, Felix's brother, Moises, plays for the Generals, and was amongst the players in the outfielder basking in Felix's (and the Mariners) glory. An epic day for the Hernandez family, the Mariners, and even the Generals indeed.

For more discussion and analysis of the Mariners, make sure to check out Lookout Landing. For more on the Show in general, head on over to Baseball Nation.

A Perfect Day At The Ballpark

2012-08-16T00:24:23Z

At 82 degrees, with the city surrounded by deep, blue mountains, contrasting with buildings bleached white by sun reflected off the sparkling waters of the Puget Sound, it was a perfect day in Seattle.

And with the city's best breeze whipping through the ballpark, Safeco Field was the perfect place to witness perfection.

People started to notice, early in the game.

"Felix is pitching pretty well."

By the fourth inning the crowd - prompted to look at the scoreboard by some rare early hits the Mariners - was starting to notice that Felix Hernandez had yet to surrender a walk, a hit, anything.

In the 5^th inning a father finally broke down and told his son what could happen, jinx be damned.

"There's never been one in Seattle."

In the 6^th, a boyfriend (and alleged avid SB Nation Seattle reader), risked quietly telling his girlfriend what was afoot.

By the 7^th, a shirtless man, as inebriated as only $10 beers can make someone, broke the tension, frantically running around to tell somebody, anybody, everybody what was about to happen.

Meanwhile, Felix just kept getting stronger.

Truthfully, Felix wasn't unhittable at the start. The Rays got some solid contact, and the pitcher who would be perfect wasn't exactly mowing down batters.

But The King kicked it into gear, striking out the side in the sixth to show his perfect game bid was for real. Then, in the seventh, his fastball hit 96 miles per hour, after sitting around 93 all afternoon. Yes, Felix was rising to the occasion. The best ones always do.

"Dammit Blue! You're going to squeeze him now?"

By the 8^th inning the crowd was electric, Kings Court urging on their hero, fans pleading with the ump to just let history play out, and all the boys and girls there for summer camp day just enjoying the chance to scream about something.

"Please! Please just give us this!"

And Felix refused to disappoint, getting strikeouts and groundouts, each out more of a relief than a victory.

"I called it in the fifth inning!"

And in the ninth inning Felix, like all pitchers going for a perfect game, got to face the bottom of the Rays order and when two pinch hitters couldn't crack Felix, everyone knew Sean Rodriguez wouldn't be able to as well.

And with that, he was the best the city had ever had. Better than Randy Johnson or Jamie Moyer. Better than Edgar Martinez, better than Alex Rodriguez or even Griffey. He was the best Seattle had ever had.

He was, perfect.

Felix Hernandez Pitches Perfect Game: Fans, Media React

2012-08-15T22:31:59Z

27 up, 27 down. Felix Hernandez was perfect on Wednesday afternoon, retiring every Tampa Bay Rays batter he faced while leading the Seattle Mariners to a 1-0 victory. Hernandez threw 130 pitches, 77 of which were strikes, and calmly struck out five of the final six batters to secure the amazing feat. Somewhere around the seventh or eighth inning, Felix started trending worldwide on Twitter, and as you may expect, it exploded with jubilant and hilarious and poignant and awesome reactions when he achieved perfection.

HOW DO YOU HUG SOMEONE ON TWITTER
— Peter Woodburn (@wernies) August 15, 2012

I can now say I saw perfection. Thank You #KingFelix
— Chris Fetters (@Chris_Fetters) August 15, 2012

Felix just pitched the greatest game I ever saw
— Dave Grosby (@Thegroz) August 15, 2012

what we can't forget is how freaking flawless Felix was in the last couple innings. i have never seen that in my life.
— Jon Bois (@jon_bois) August 15, 2012

Dear Cy Young Voters:My 2010 Cy Young Award needs company.Sincerely, Felix.
— Steve Sandmeyer (@SteveSandmeyer) August 15, 2012

He's ours. You can't have him.
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) August 15, 2012

The King is alive, long live The King.
— Craig Johnstone (@TheC_Raig) August 15, 2012

"Coming up next on SportsCenter... Felix Hernandez throws a Perfect Game!! But first lets go to Jets Training Camp.."
— Faux John Madden (@FauxJohnMadden) August 15, 2012

"I've been working so hard to throw one and there it is. For you guys" -- Felix Hernandez is great.
— SB Nation (@sbnation) August 15, 2012

Now @realkingfelix is allowed in @2ksports Perfect Club #welldeserved
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) August 15, 2012

Felix Hernandez is neither false nor unnecessarily humble. "It was in my mind the whole game."
— RamsHerd (@RamsHerd) August 15, 2012

You a G if you think about a perfect game in the 3rd inning!
— Davis Hsu (@DavisHsuSeattle) August 15, 2012

Felix's stuff and command were so good today, he may have been able to go 15 perfect frames. Absolutely unbelievable.
— Jason A. Churchill (@ProspectInsider) August 15, 2012

Awesome moment in elevator w/ GM Jack Zduriencik holding phone to his ear and mockingly saying "no we're not trading Felix" #Mariners
— Tim Booth (@ByTimBooth) August 15, 2012

Your city is proud of you, King Felix.

Head on over to Lookout Landing to share in the revelry.

Felix Hernandez Perfect Game: 4th No-Hitter In Seattle Mariners History

2012-08-15T22:22:50Z

Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez threw the fourth no-hitter in franchise history on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays, finishing a perfect game to lead the team to a 1-0 victory.

As the 23rd perfect game in MLB history, this performance now stands in the record books next to some all-time greats.

For the Mariners, their fourth no-hitter comes shortly after their last one. Earlier this season, Kevin Milwood went six innings and with the help of five other pitchers, Seattle went nine innings without giving up a hit. That game tied the MLB record for most pitchers to combine for a no-hitter.

Back in 1993, Chris Bosio helped Seattle beat the Boston Red Sox, 7-0, with his own no-hitter. And in 1990, Randy Johnson threw a no-hitter for a 2-0 victory against the Detroit Tigers.

Speaking of Johnson, Hernandez and his 12 strikeouts on Tuesday stand strong in a historical sense as well.

Pitchers with more strikeouts in a perfect game than Felix Hernandez: Sandy Koufax, Matt Cain, Randy Johnson.
— Andy Hutchins (@AndyHutchins) August 15, 2012

Hernandez didn't appear to be on such a strong pace, but he finished the day with five strikeouts in the last two innings.

The former AL Cy Young Award winner moves to 11-5 on the season with the win.

Check out Lookout Landing for more on Felix Hernandez's historic game.

Felix Hernandez Throws Perfect Game As Mariners Beat Rays, 1-0

2012-08-15T22:08:15Z

Felix Hernandez dominated the Tampa Bay Rays from start to finish on Tuesday afternoon, and the result was a perfect game as the Mariners beat the Rays, 1-0.

Hernandez struck out 12 batters during his epic performance, throwing 77 out of 130 pitches for strikes. He seemingly improved as the game went on, striking out the side in the eighth inning as well as notching two Ks in the ninth. With the win, Hernandez is now 11-5 on the season, with a 2.60 ERA.

The perfect game represented the first in Mariners history, as well as their fourth no-hitter. Safeco Field has been a magical place for pitching performances this season, as the Mariners pitched a combined no-hitter on June 8th, and Philip Humber of the White Sox tossed a perfect game on April 21st.

Hernandez is the third pitcher to throw a perfect game in 2012, joining Humber and Matt Cain.

For more on the Mariners, be sure to visit Lookout Landing. And, head over to Baseball Nation for all of your MLB-related needs.

Mariners Vs. Rays: Felix Hernandez Has Perfect Game Through 8 Innings

2012-08-15T22:01:00Z

Felix Hernandez continued to roll through the Tampa Bay Rays' batting lineup, striking out three batters in the eighth inning to keep his perfect game going.

With a perfect game in his grasp, the Seattle Mariners pitcher added to his totals first by striking out Evan Longoria, who went down swinging on a nasty curve ball. He then mowed down Ben Zobrist and Carlos Pena to move the Mariners past the top of the eighth.

Hernandez now has 10 strikeouts on the day. He's thrown 98 pitches and 66 for strikes.

The Mariners still hold a 1-0 going into the bottom of the eighth inning. Behind Hernandez, the Mariners have fielded well and haven't recorded an error on the day.

Up in the ninth inning for the Rays are Jose Lobaton, Elliot Johnson and Sean Rodriguez.

The veteran pitcher out of Venezuela is in his eighth season with the Mariners and holds a career 3.19 ERA with the club.