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Jakubauskas, Mariners beat Angels 1-0

May 21, 2009 - 5:45 AM By GREGG BELL AP Sports Writer

SEATTLE(AP) -- Manager Don Wakamatsu calling out ace Felix Hernandez had an immediate and positive result for the Mariners: Chris Jakubauskas noticed.

"I was watching them run all over the place," the fill-in starter said Wednesday about the Angels stealing five bases during a runaway rout of Hernandez the previous night. "The easiest way to control that is to not let anyone on."

The former shoe salesman did just that, something the heralded Hernandez couldn't do a day earlier. He limited his hometown Angels to two hits in six innings in Seattle's 1-0 victory over Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

Ken Griffey Jr. had two hits, including an RBI single after Ichiro Suzuki doubled leading off the first against Ervin Santana, who was otherwise strong - just not as brilliant as Jakubauskas.

Seattle won for just the fourth time in 16 games, and for the first time in eight games against an AL West rival. The Angels lost for the fourth time in six games on their trip within the division.

Los Angeles is 4-5 against the Mariners this season. The Angels were 14-5 against Seattle in 2008 while winning the division again.

The 39-year-old Griffey, the active leader in home runs (615) and hits (2,704), has answered an 0-for-12 skid that had his average just above .200 with five hits in his last three games.

He provided enough offense for Jakubauskas (3-4) and relievers Miguel Batista, Mark Lowe and David Aardsma, who held Los Angeles to a season-low three hits. Aardsma walked one in the ninth but retired Gary Matthews Jr. for his fifth save in five chances, and second save since he took the closer's job from Brandon Morrow last week.

Jakubauskas, like Hernandez, got a stern talking to from his rookie manager. While being nervous and not relying on his breaking pitches early in his last start as Boston was battering him - after allowing nine runs in his outing before that - Jakubauskas had Wakamatsu in his face in the dugout saying, "Enough!"

He hasn't allowed a run since.

"I saw him trying too hard," Wakamatsu said.

Jakubauskas saw a budding leader remaking a team that lost 101 games last season.

"I'll be honest with you, I needed a little bit of a kick in the butt," he said. "Wak has a way of motivating you."

Just ask Hernandez. Seattle's third 1-0 win of the season came one night after Wakamatsu called out his 23-year-old star for not "stepping up" while allowing 11 hits and six runs in 5 2-3 innings.

Wakamatsu met for 17 minutes with Hernandez behind a closed door in the manager's office Wednesday. Upon emerging from the meeting, Hernandez twirled a glove on his index finger. Asked how the talk went, Hernandez nodded, said "Good," and walked away.

Jakubauskas is a 29-year-old former Independent League nomad and college outfielder who made $700 a month and sold women's shoes at a Nordstrom department store in Southern California a few winters ago for extra cash. Wednesday, the fill-in for injured starter Ryan Rowland-Smith cashed in against the team he watched growing up in Upland, Calif.

"I've heard his story," Angels star Torii Hunter said. "He's come a long way. He's making a statement."

He gave Jakubauskas his only trouble, with a double in the fourth. Two walks then loaded the bases with two outs. But Jakubauskas got Howie Kendrick to fly out to escape that.

He walked two and struck out one in his first scoreless start since April 27, 2008, when he was with Double-A West Tennessee.

Santana (0-1), in his second start after elbow issues sidelined him for the season's first six weeks, showed the dominance that made him an All-Star in 2008. He threw 15 consecutive strikes into the fourth inning.

"My location was way better than the last time," he said.

Notes: Angels OF Bobby Abreu left the game in the second inning after spraining his left big toe landing on first base during a ground out. Manager Mike Scioscia said Abreu will miss a couple days. ... Wakamatsu said LHP Erik Bedard will start Thursday, after missing his last one because of a hamstring injury. He likely will be limited to 90-100 pitches. ... Wakamatsu moved slumping Adrian Beltre from fourth to second in the batting order in another attempt to get him going. Beltre hit the ball hard but went hitless and is batting .200.