Rangers 1 - 3 Mariners
Final
  for this game

King Felix hopes to put quad issue behind him against Rangers

Apr 18, 2015 - 11:41 AM (SportsNetwork.com) - Felix Hernandez hopes to put a minor quad issue behind him on Saturday when the Seattle Mariners continue their three-game series with the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field.

Hernandez was brilliant in his Opening Day start against the Los Angeles Angels, but struggled a bit against Oakland on Sunday, as he surrendered three runs and eight hits in five innings. He also struck out just one batter after fanning 10 in his previous start.

The 29-year-old, though, felt some tenderness in his leg while stretching for a throw at first in the fifth. After a visit from the trainer, he remained in the game, but did not come out for the sixth.

"I was OK," he said. "It was not one of my better days. I was just trying to make pitches. I was up, I was not getting ahead of hitters and I was making a lot of mistakes. ... I was trying, but I wasn't getting any power from my legs."

Texas has traditionally given Hernandez trouble, as he is just 12-21 lifetime against them with a 4.01 ERA.

The Rangers, meanwhile, will turn to righty Colby Lewis, who is 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA. Lewis beat the Athletics in his season debut, then did not get a decision against Houston on Sunday, as he yielded four runs - all in the second inning - and seven hits in 7 1/3 innings of his team's 6-4 loss.

"That was one inning that I'm sure Colby would like back, but he battled," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "He finished up with 90 pitches and some strong innings after that."

Texas won the opener of this set on Friday, as Robinson Chirinos' solo home run in the fifth inning proved to be the difference in the Rangers' 3-1 victory.

Prince Fielder went 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Yovani Gallardo (2-1) tossed six- plus scoreless innings for the Rangers, who have won two of their last three.

"More impressively tonight from Yovani was his ability to work vertical tonight," Texas manager Jeff Banister said.

J.A. Happ (0-1) pitched well enough to get the win but took the loss despite giving up just two runs on five hits over seven frames.

"I had a good time out there," Happ said. "We just came a little bit short tonight."

Nelson Cruz continued his hot start with three hits, though the slugger's streak of homering in five straight games came to an end.

Seattle has now lost four in a row.






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