If Felix Hernandez is the King, then what regal nickname should be bestowed on shortstop Ketel Marte?
While Hernandez was as regal as always, it was Marte who delivered the knockout shot against the Tampa Bay Rays in a 5-3 victory. The Seattle Mariners‘ Marte had four hits on the night, including the winning three-run homer in the sixth.
Tampa Bay, as a team, had only four hits. Two of them were home runs by Corey Dickerson and Evan Longoria, but no one was on base either time. The Rays dropped back to .500 (15-15) on the year.
Manager Kevin Cash said he was not worried about the team’s reliance on the home run again. “This was against Felix,” he said.
Matt Moore struggled for the Rays, lasting only 4 2/3 innings, giving up seven hits and walking four.
For the Rays, second baseman Logan Forsythe left the game after being struck on a pitched ball on the shoulder. X-rays were negative, but Forsythe is day to day.
The teams play again today. Drew Smyly pitches for Tampa Bay.
