SB Nation Seattle - Felix Hernandez Dominant In 6-2 Season-Opening Win Over Oaklandhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48997/seattle-fave.png2011-04-01T22:01:56-07:00http://seattle.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18495602011-04-01T22:01:56-07:002011-04-01T22:01:56-07:00Seattle Mariners Open 2011 Season With 6-2 Win Over Oakland Athletics
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<p>It was a night of surprises as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle Mariners</a> opened the 2011 season in Oakland against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics</a> on Friday night. <span>Felix Hernandez</span> took the hill for the Mariners and got off to a rocky start before settling in and reminding us why he was the 2010 AL Cy Young Award winner. From there, the offense came to live, jumping up and biting the A’s in the later innings to give Hernandez all the help he needed in a 6-2 win.</p>
<p>The A’s got it started in the bottom of the first as <span>Josh Willingham</span> laced a Hernandez pitch into the seat to give Oakland an early 2-0 lead. But Seattle began crawling right back in the top of the 3rd with a little help from <span>Trevor Cahill</span>. With two outs, <span>Jack Cust</span> walked with the bases loaded, plating Ichiro to cut the A’s lead to one.</p>
<p>The dam broke and the game got hilarious in the 6th as the Mariners took the lead in the most surprising way possible. Ichiro’s single drove in <span>Brendan Ryan</span> to tie the game at two before <span>Chone Figgins</span> showed off his new muscles. After Ichiro was picked off, Figgins ripped a pitch to left, driving it out of the ballpark to give the lead and leaving many Seattle fans laughing in response.</p>
<p>The Mariners tacked on three more in the seventh, capitalizing on a an error by first basemen <span>Daric Barton</span> to plate one run and bringing another home after a bad pickoff attempt by <span>Brad Ziegler</span>.</p>
<p>Hernandez got it done and was impressive as usual, throwing a complete game while allow just those two first inning runs. After that, he looked flat dominant, striking out five and allowing just two hits, both of which came in the first inning.</p>
<p>The first game is in the books and the Mariners are a perfect 1-0. For more on the game, check out <a href="http://www.lookoutlanding.com" target="new">Lookout Landing</a> for the Mariners’ side and <a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com" target="new">Athletics Nations</a>.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-mariners/2011/4/1/2086304/seattle-mariners-oakland-athletics-box-score-felix-hernandez-opening-dayBrian Floyd2011-04-01T20:24:22-07:002011-04-01T20:24:22-07:00Seattle Mariners Baseball Is Back, And So Is The Bullpen Backpack
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a> bullpen is a fun-loving bunch, playing practical jokes and generally goofing off in the downtime before getting to work later in the game. It's customary for the youngest reliever (read: the rookie) to carry some form of embarrassing backpack around with all the tools of the trade in it. Well, the backpack is back this year, but it's definitely not embarrassing at all.</p>↵<p>Check out Tom Wilhelmsen and his brand new backpack (via <a href="http://twitter.com/shannondrayer/statuses/54018274580631552" target="_blank">Shannon Drayer</a>).</p>↵<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/578548/268585078.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="268585078_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/578548/268585078_medium.jpg" width="290" height="240/"></a> <br>I'll be honest, I want one.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-mariners/2011/4/1/2086178/seattle-mariners-bullpen-backpack-tom-wilhelmsenBrian Floyd2011-04-01T17:52:42-07:002011-04-01T17:52:42-07:00Seattle Mariners Opening Day 2011: Lineups For Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners
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<p>With just over an hour to play, the lineups for the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics are in. We already knew the Mariners' lineup, which was announced on Thursday by manager Eric Wedge, but have been waiting on Oakland to release its lineup into the wild. Seattle Mariners' ace Felix Hernandez takes the bump at 7:05 p.m. to battle the division-rival Athletics on ROOT Sports.</p>
<p>Here's the Oakland side of the equation.</p>
<p>CF Coco Crisp<br>1B Daric Barton<br>RF David DeJesus<br>LF Josh Willingham<br>DH Hideki Matsui<br>C Kurt Suzuki<br>2B Mark Ellis<br>3B Kevin Kouzmanoff<br>SS Cliff Pennington</p>
<p>On the hill for the A's will be Trevor Cahill. He'll be facing the following lineup for the Mariners</p>
<p>RF Ichiro Suzuki<br>3B Chone Figgins<br>LF Milton Bradley<br>DH Jack Cust<br>1B Justin Smoak<br>C Miguel Olivo<br>CF Ryan Langerhans<br>SS Brendan Ryan<br>2B Jack Wilson</p>
<p>Langerhans gets the start for Franklin Gutierrez, who was placed on the disabled list with a stomach problem that's been ailing him for quite some time, but flared up during the spring. We also have full breakdown of the Mariners Opening Day lineup if you're looking for more information.</p>
<p>For more on the game, stop by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lookoutlanding.com">Lookout Landing</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.athleticsnation.com">Athletics Nation</a>. You'll find a Mariners slant at Lookout Landing and a look at the series through the opponents' eyes at Athletics Nation.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-mariners/2011/4/1/2085961/seattle-mariners-opening-day-2011-lineups-oakland-athleticsBrian Floyd2011-04-01T13:30:29-07:002011-04-01T13:30:29-07:00Seattle Mariners Opening Day 2011: Starters, Game Time, TV Information, Lineups
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<p>Major League Baseball's official Opening Day has passed, but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle Mariners</a> get the season started on Friday in Oakland as they take on the AL West rival <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics</a> at 7:05 p.m. For as tough as last season was, the Mariners have the chance to start fresh on Friday as ace, and 2010 Cy Young award winner, <span>Felix Hernandez</span> takes the mound. The slate is clean and it's time to let hope, optimism and good vibes take over as the Mariners take part in their own opening day on Friday night.</p>
<p>Here's the relevant information ahead of Friday night's game.</p>
<p><b>Pitching matchup</b>: Felix Hernandez (SEA) vs. <span>Trevor Cahill</span> (OAK).</p>
<p><b>Lineups</b>: Graham MacAree gave an excellent breakdown of the <a href="http://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-mariners/2011/3/31/2084024/seattle-mariners-announce-opening-day-lineups-what-can-we-expect" target="_blank">Mariners opening day lineup</a> on Thursday. Ichiro leads the Mariners again this year, but plenty of fresh faces dot the lineup. Can it produce? We'll begin to find out on Friday night.</p>
<p><b>Game time</b>: It's a late start for the Mariners and Athletics, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. in Oakland.</p>
<p><b>Broadcast information</b>: ROOT Sports, formerly known as Fox Sports Northwest, has the broadcast, and holds the Mariners' major television rights yet again this year. New year, same old FSN ... err, ROOT Sports.</p>
<p>For more on the game, stop by <a href="http://www.lookoutlanding.com" target="_blank">Lookout Landing</a> and <a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com" target="_blank">Athletics Nation</a>. You'll find a Mariners slant at Lookout Landing, and one of the best baseball writers around in Jeff Sullivan, and a look at the series through the opponent's eyes at Athletics Nation.</p>
<p>We'll be back with more as the game gets closer, including the A's lineup and any late changes.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2011/4/1/2332568/seattle-mariners-opening-day-2011-starters-game-time-tv-informationBrian Floyd