Angels rally in eighth inning for 5-2 win over Mariners

SEATTLE (AP) ― Felix Hernandez’s remarkable run came to a sudden halt.

Mark Trumbo hit a two-run single in the eighth that chased Hernandez and gave the Los Angeles Angels their fifth straight victory, 5-2 over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.

“I felt good. I felt the same,” Hernandez said. “I was throwing the ball pretty good until the eighth. I’m still strong.”

King Felix gave up five runs ― four earned ― in 7 1-3 innings. He yielded nine hits, walked two and struck out seven.

Hernandez (13-6) entered this outing 9-0 since June 12 with a 1.40 ERA over his previous 14 starts. However, in three starts against the Angels this season, Hernandez is 0-2. He has allowed 15 runs and 24 hits for a 5.75 ERA. His ERA against the rest of baseball: 2.16. “That’s a big statement on how we keep grinding it out,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “We beat a terrific pitcher this afternoon. He had been pitching as well as anyone in baseball for a while.”

Mariners manager Eric Wedge said Hernandez was in control.

“He’s been there before and handled it very well. He is still strong and if not the best pitcher, one of the best pitchers in baseball,” Wedge said. “There’s not a better option for us in the eighth inning.”

Mike Trout and Torii Hunter singled to open the eighth. Albert Pujols then hit a one-hopper to third baseman Kyle Seager, who couldn’t corral it for an error. That allowed Trout to score, tying the game at 2, while Hunter and Pujols each moved into scoring position.

“I saw him going and it’s a contact play,” Seager said. “Trout runs well but if I catch that ball and make a good throw, he’d have been out pretty easily. It’s just a play where I got in-between hops and wasn’t able to make the play. I should have definitely made it.”

Kendrys Morales bounced out, and Trumbo then sent a hit through the left side as both runners scored easily.

The three-run rally continued against reliever Stephen Pryor as Howie Kendrick delivered a RBI single.

“They cracked the door open for us a little bit. I thought we had some good at-bats, some key hits, put some guys in motion. We were getting after it,” Scioscia said. “Felix is tough. He does special things with the baseball. He changes speed. He’s got stuff. He competes. We did a terrific job against a great pitcher.”

Hunter, who had three hits and scored twice, said Hernandez, “is the best pitcher in the game. He’s tough. If the Mariners get ahead when he’s on the mound it’s going to be a battle. We tried to get him up (in the zone). His slider, his change break down.”

Dodgers 2, D-backs 1

Athletics 7, Red Sox 1

Rockies 9, Padres 1

Twins 8, Royals 7

Tigers 5, White Sox 1

Giants 5, Cubs 2

Yankees 4, Orioles 3

Phillies 5, Braves 1

Rays 5, Blue Jays 4

Cardinals 10, Nationals 9

Astros 2, Reds 1

Twins 3, Royals 1

Brewers 3, Pirates 2

Indians 4, Rangers 3

Mets 5, Marlins 3

Angels 5, Mariners 2

Ervin Santana (8-11) went seven innings. He gave up two runs on four hits, walking two and striking out two.

The Angels scored first, on Pujols’ RBI double in the first inning.

Trayvon Robinson tied it with his second home run, in the third. Franklin Gutierrez gave the Mariners a 2-1 lead with a run-scoring double in the third.

“He’s one of the toughest pitchers in the league. We both do a good job,” Santana said. “If both pitchers pitching good then we’re just waiting for one mistake.”

Trumbo found it.

“My whole thing is be present when I need to be,” said Trumbo, who was hitting just .202 in August and just came out of a 0-for-16 skid. “I found myself in a situation with a couple runners out there. I was able to clean up and able to drive them in.

“I don’t worry about yesterday. I don’t worry about tomorrow,” Trumbo said. “I need to be where I need to be and allow my ability to come out instead of trying force it.”

Dodgers 1, D-backs 1

Athletics 7, Red Sox 1

Rockies 9, Padres 1

Twins 8, Royals 7

Tigers 5, White Sox 1

Giants 5, Cubs 2

Yankees 4, Orioles 3

Phillies 5, Braves 1

Rays 5, Blue Jays 4

Cardinals 10, Nationals 9

Angels 5, Mariners 2

Astros 2, Reds 1

Twins 3, Royals 1

Brewers 3, Pirates 2

Indians 4, Rangers 3

Mets 5, Marlins 3