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Snake-bitten Hernandez aims for first win vs. Angels

Apr 11, 2008 - 2:12 PM LA Angels (6-4) at Seattle (4-6) 10:10 pm EDT

SEATTLE (Ticker) - No one has been affected by closer J.J. Putz's injury more than Felix Hernandez.

Hernandez aims for his first win of the season on Friday as the Seattle Mariners host the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the opener of a three-game series.

Hernandez will look to help the Mariners bounce back from a 7-0 loss to Tampa Bay on Wednesday. The 22-year-old righthander has allowed just one unearned run in 15 innings this season. He has left with a lead in both of his starts.

But Seattle has failed to protect the leads Hernandez has handed it. Part of the problem is that Putz, who was third in the American League with 40 saves last season, is on the disabled list with a right torso inflammation.

Hernandez (0-0, 0.00) threw eight scoreless innings on Sunday against Baltimore and left with a 2-0 lead. But temporary closer Mark Lowe blew the save as the Mariners fell, 3-2.

In his first start on April 1, Hernandez was in line for a win until Putz allowed a go-ahead two-run homer to Josh Hamilton in a 5-4 loss to the Texas Rangers. Putz was placed in the DL the next day.

The Angels will send righthander Jered Weaver (1-1, 2.03) to the hill. Weaver allowed just three hits in seven scoreless innings of a 2-1 win over the Rangers on Saturday.

Los Angeles has hit nine home runs in its last four games - including four in a 9-5 win over Cleveland on Wednesday.