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Mariners use slam to sink Mets

Jun 24, 2008 - 3:04 AM By Doug Mittler PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- Any joy that Felix Hernandez experienced over hitting the first home run by a pitcher in Seattle Mariners history was wiped out a few innings later.

Hernandez belted the first grand slam by an American League pitcher in 37 years before leaving in the fifth inning with a sprained left ankle as the Mariners defeated the New York Mets, 5-2, on Monday night, spoiling Jerry Manuel's first home game as interim manager.

The game marked the opener of a three-game interleague series between teams that fired managers last week. The Mets fell to 3-3 since Manuel replaced Willie Randolph while the Mariners improved to 2-2 under Jim Riggleman, who took over after John McLaren was dismissed.

The best news for Riggleman came shortly after the game when X-rays on Hernandez revealed only a slight sprain.

"The news is pretty good. We hope to get him out there as soon as possible," Riggleman said. "He's already saying that he won't miss a start."

Hernandez had won his last four starts and was on his way to a fifth thanks to a grand slam off fellow Venezuelan Johan Santana in the second inning.

"I said, 'That's all I need, four runs,'" Hernandez joked. "When I got back to the bench, (Adrian) Beltre said I was lucky. Maybe the last (home run) I hit was in Little League."

It was the first grand slam by an AL pitcher since Steve Dunning of the Cleveland Indians off Diego Segui of the Oakland Athletics on May 11, 1971.

The last grand slam by a pitcher also was at Shea Stadium. when Dontrelle Willis - then of the Florida Marlins - homered against the Mets' Jose Lima on July 7, 2006.

Hernandez's night ended abruptly with two outs in the fifth when he threw a wild pitch and ran to cover home plate. Carlos Beltran, who had reached on a leadoff double and stole third, slid into home and spiked Hernandez.

"I'm thinking I've got to score and I'm watching the plate. I caught him with my spikes," said Beltran, who called Hernandez after the game. "He's fine."

The pitcher tried to throw a warm-up pitch but landed awkwardly and promptly was removed by Riggleman just one out short of a victory.

"I wanted to pitch, but it was hurting bad," Hernandez said.

The 22-year-old Hernandez allowed one run and two hits in 4 2/3 innings. Ryan Rowland-Smith (2-1), the second of four Seattle relievers, pitched two scoreless innings to earn the win.

Arthur Rhodes recorded the final two outs for his first save.

Santana (8-6), who lost his third straight decision, was the victim of an error by third baseman David Wright that prolonged the second inning and led to Hernandez's homer.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner allowed seven hits, including his 14th homer of the season, and five runs - one earned - in seven innings.

"I felt better than I felt all season," Santana said. "We didn't make the routine plays that make you a winner."

Singles by Adrian Beltre and Jeff Clement helped the Mariners put two runners on base in the second before Wright booted a ground ball by Willie Bloomquist, ending his 27-game errorless streak.

Hernandez had not been to the plate all season before belting the first pitch he saw the opposite way over the right-center field fence. Santana had allowed one previous grand slam - to Michael Young of Texas in 2003.

"He put a good swing on the pitch and it was out of the strike zone," Santana said. "It seemed like he closed his eyes and the ball followed his bat."

Jose Lopez had an RBI single in the fifth to increase Seattle's lead to 5-0.

Beltran had an RBI single in the ninth off Sean Green before Rhodes struck out Carlos Delgado and Damion Easley to end the game.