White-hot Mariners offense helps Felix get win

SEATTLE -- For Félix Hernández, the drought ended Monday.

After not winning a game in the final three months of 2018, the veteran right-hander got his new year off on a better foot as the Mariners continued their early-season roll with a 6-3 victory over the Angels at T-Mobile Park.

“Finally,” said Hernandez, who insisted he didn’t know how long his winless run had been until seeing it on a TV screen shortly after the game.

Hernandez overcame four errors by his defense to open his 15th Major League season with a win, allowing seven hits and three runs (one earned) in 5 1/3 innings with no walks and four strikeouts.

The Mariners showed once again that their offense was good enough to overcome other issues as they improved to 6-1, tied for the best start in franchise history with the 1984, ‘85 and ‘95 clubs.

In seven games, Seattle has scored 54 runs and blasted 16 homers, with first baseman Jay Bruce going deep for his third straight game with a two-run blast in the seventh to provide some needed cushion.

It felt odd to have Hernandez not starting until the Mariners’ seventh game of the season, but the longtime ace hadn’t won a game since June 30 of last year, going 0-8 with a 6.34 ERA in his last 11 outings of 2018.

The 32-year-old said he’s not bothered by his different role and said he’s not trying to prove anything after his 8-14 record and 5.55 ERA last year.

“I’m still pitching,” Hernandez said. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t have to show people what I have to do, I just have to do it for myself.”

“I’m really happy for Felix,” said Mariners manager Scott Servais. “It’s been a while since he’s gotten a ‘W’ behind his name. He competed his tail off. I thought the big key tonight, for the most part, he was getting ahead in the count and when he does that, like any pitcher, he’s more effective. Our defense didn’t help him out a ton, but he kept battling through it.”

With Marco Gonzales and Yusei Kikuchi getting both the Opening Series starts in Tokyo, and the first two games of the homestand, Hernandez was relegated to a fifth-starter role. But he responded with a solid start, and the Mariners’ rebuilt bullpen stepped up with 3 2/3 scoreless innings between Chasen Bradford, Zac Rosscup, Rule 5 pickup Brandon Brennan and Roenis Elias.

“Felix means so much to the franchise and city of Seattle,” said Bruce, who helped secure the win with his 289th career home run. “He’s had such a great career. He started so young and has had so many great moments. I don’t think he’s pitched the way he’s wanted the last couple years, but for him to get off to a good start is huge for him, and for us. If we’re going to win, we’re going to need him.”

The committee continues closing

Since closer Hunter Strickland went down with a strained lat muscle, Nick Rumbelow, Bradford and now Elias have each picked up their first career saves in the last three games, with Elias pitching a 1-2-3 ninth against the Angels.

“We’re just mixing and matching every night, putting these guys in their best spots,” said Servais. “They’re all looking forward to pitching. They’re not really concerned with their roles right now, which is great. Hopefully it keeps working for a while. But again, it doesn’t happen unless our offense shows up again tonight.”

Elias has worked as a starter and long man in his career, but now can put “closer” on his resume, at least on occasion.

“He’s a very fiery guy and pitches with a lot of emotion,” Servais said. “Sometimes you go out there for one inning and just let it rip. That’s what he’s doing.”

Rolling up the big numbers

The Mariners have scored five or more runs in all seven games, equaling the 1998 club as the only teams in franchise history to pull that off. They’ve also homered in the first seven games of a season for just the second time, one back of the club record eight set by that ‘98 team.

Tim Beckham’s two-run double highlighted a four-run first as the 29-year-old shortstop continued his torrid start. He’s batting .423. Left fielder Domingo Santana went 2-for-4 and notched his team-leading 11th RBI and center fielder Mallex Smith went 2-for-4 with a walk and stolen base.

All are newcomers to a team that has 12 of its 25-man roster in their first year in Seattle. Bruce, another of the new additions, says hitting is contagious and the Mariners are feeding off each other.

“It feels a lot like when I was with the Indians in 2017,” Bruce said. “You didn’t want to be the guy to go up there and not have the quality at-bat. I think it’s great. We have a lot of guys who are very competitive in that sense, and it’s awesome. It’s for the team and it really drives everyone in the right way. It’s been fun to be a part of and to watch.”