D-backs pound Felix, sweep Mariners
SEATTLE -- Patrick Corbin continued his strong comeback from Tommy John surgery, Welington Castillo haunted his former team with two home runs and Felix Hernandez suffered a rare clunker of an outing. In the aftermath, the D-backs completed a three-game sweep Wednesday afternoon with an 8-2 win over the Mariners before a sun-splashed Safeco Field crowd of 32,502.
"I felt like even when we were losing, we were playing hard and they were giving it everything they had every night, so it's hard for the manager to get upset," said D-backs manager Chip Hale. "We're doing a little better with the execution, we're situationally hitting better, we're getting a couple two-out hits with guys in scoring position and the big thing here is our starting pitching has been fantastic."
Right away, it was clear that it was Arizona's day, not Hernandez's. The perennial American League Cy Young Award candidate gave up three consecutive hits to start the game, with Paul Goldschmidt's two-run single setting up Castillo's two-run blast two batters later. Castillo was a member of the Mariners earlier in the season, but went to Arizona in the Mark Trumbo trade on June 3. Hernandez stayed in the game into the seventh, but gave up a solo shot to Castillo leading off the fourth and a two-run triple by David Peralta in the seventh.
Video: ARI@SEA: Peralta breaks it open with a two-run triple
"Early on, the command was off," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said of Hernandez. "He actually settled down in the middle innings, started to throw the ball pretty decent, and elevated again late. They're an aggressive club. You've got to make quality pitches. And we just didn't do it the last two days."
Corbin, who recently returned from the elbow ligament replacement procedure, was on cruise control for much of the game. He completed six innings, striking out six and giving up one run on three hits. The Mariners' lone run off the lefty came on a Brad Miller single in the fourth. Their lone extra-base hit was a Jesus Sucre double in the fifth.
Franklin Gutierrez tacked on the Mariners' second run on a RBI ground-rule double in the eighth.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Castillo cranks a pair: Castillo missed Tuesday's game after he was hit by a pitch in the left elbow Monday night, but made the most of his two days in the lineup in Seattle, hitting three home runs. The 28-year-old catcher, who played in six games with the Mariners earlier this season, launched a two-run homer in the first and a solo shot in the fourth to become just the sixth player to hit two home runs off Hernandez in a game.
"I had a good approach against him," Castillo said. "He's a really good pitcher. I was guessing right with him." More >
Miller gets Mariners on the board: Miller stifled Corbin's momentum at least a little bit and prevented Seattle from getting shut out by driving in his team's first run in the fourth. After Kyle Seager and Nelson Cruz worked walks to begin the frame, Miller came up with runners on the corners and two out. He rifled a single into left field to get Seattle in the scoring column.
Video: ARI@SEA: Miller grounds an RBI single to left field
Corbin cruises: Corbin snapped a three-game skid and earned his second win of the season. The 26-year-old lefty threw just 80 pitches -- 52 strikes -- to get through six innings while allowing just three hits and one run. Corbin retired the final six hitters he faced before Addison Reed took over in the seventh. Corbin struck out six while allowing two walks and has struck out five or more in four of his five starts since returning from Tommy John surgery. More >
Video: ARI@SEA: Corbin stymies Mariners over six strong
Morrison leaves game: Seattle first baseman Logan Morrison appeared to injure himself on a swing in the seventh and was removed from the game. He was replaced at first base by designated hitter Trumbo. After the game, McClendon said Morrison's thumb was swollen and the club viewed it as a day-to-day condition.
Video: ARI@SEA: Morrison removed due to apparent injury
QUOTABLE
"When a guy swings the bat well, they're going to try to pitch him in and they're just getting a little too far in there.'"-- Hale, on Castillo being hit three times in the past four games
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Hernandez made his 324th career start, passing Jamie Moyer for most in Mariners history. He said he wasn't aware of it while pitching, but expressed gratitude that he has been able to sustain the health that has enabled him to accomplish the feat.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
With no outs in the second, the D-backs' Chris Owings attempted to steal second, but was called out by second-base umpire Chris Segal after an accurate throw from Sucre and a tag by shortstop Chris Taylor. D-backs manager Chip Hale challenged the call, which stood after a short review.
Video: ARI@SEA: Sucre nabs Owings, stands after review
WHAT'S NEXT
D-backs: Right-hander Rubby De La Rosa (8-5, 4.52 ERA) takes the mound against the Astros on Friday to open up a three-game series at 5:10 p.m. MT at Minute Maid Park. De La Rosa threw eight scoreless innings against the Brewers on Saturday for his second straight win. The D-backs are 13-4 in their past 17 games against the Astros.
Mariners: Seattle heads on the road to try to snap a three-game skid. The Mariners begin the trip in Minneapolis with the first installment of a four-game series against the Twins at Target Field on Thursday at 5:10 p.m. PT. Seattle lefty J.A. Happ will get the ball against Minnesota righty Phil Hughes. Happ is 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA in his career against the Twins.
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