Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — Seattle ace Felix Hernandez was far from perfect.
On the three-year anniversary of pitching a perfect game, Hernandez was tagged for a career high-tying 10 runs as the Boston Red Sox routed the Mariners 22-10 Saturday.
“Embarrassing. That was embarrassing,” Hernandez said. “I could not get the ball down. Every pitch I threw, they hit it. I was trying. I was trying everything out there. Couldn’t get anything.”
Hernandez (14-7) gave up hits to nine of the first 12 batters he faced, 12 hits overall, and three homers.
Three years ago, he was perfect against Tampa Bay in a 1-0 win at Safeco Field.
It got so bad that Mariners catcher Jesus Sucre pitched the eighth, giving up three runs and five hits.
“There’s not a lot you can say. We got our butts kicked,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “The only silver lining in all of this is that we scored 10 runs, the offense came alive and kept battling, and there were no injuries. You just move on and you get ready for the next one.”
Nelson Cruz hit his major league-leading 35th homer and drove in three runs for the Mariners. Mike Zunino and Austin Jackson also homered.
Jackie Bradley Jr. hit two homers and three doubles to drive in seven runs for Boston.
The Red Sox got 26 hits in the highest-scoring game ever against Seattle. They broke loose for the second straight day after manager John Farrell took a medical leave for the rest of the season to treat his lymphoma.
The 53-year-old Farrell said he had a “highly curable” form of cancer about three hours before Friday night’s 15-1 romp, with bench coach Torey Lovullo running the team.
Boston became the first team to get at least 15 runs and 21 hits in consecutive games since the Red Sox did it in 1950. It’s the only two times they’ve done it in 100 years.
Pablo Sandoval and Alejandro De Aza homered for Boston. Sandoval connected in his first at-bat, then was hit in the right elbow by Hernandez the next time up and left with a bruise.
Blake Swihart doubled twice, singled twice, scored four runs and drove in three for Boston. David Ortiz went 3 for 3 with three RBIs.
Bradley began the day batting .203 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 74 at-bats. He helped the bottom four spots in the Boston batting order post whopping numbers: 13 for 19 with four walks, 18 runs scored and 13 RBIs.
Wade Miley (9-9) went seven innings.
Blanked in the first inning, Boston scored five times in the second and five more in the third.
Sandoval homered into the center-field bleachers leading off the second. Bradley then homered a few feet above Sandoval’s drive.
In the third, De Aza homered and Brock Holt had a two-run double, chasing Hernandez.
Bradley’s RBI double highlighted a four-run sixth, making it 15-2. He added a two-run homer in the eighth.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mariners: LHP James Paxton, on the DL since late May with a strained left middle finger, threw a bullpen session on Saturday.
Red Sox: Lovullo said LF Hanley Ramirez (bruised left foot) “is progressing and doing well. (He’s) still feeling a little discomfort from that contusion.” … Lovullo also said OF Rusney Castillo was re-examined after leaving Friday’s game early after he fouled a ball off his left foot. He said X-rays were negative.
CONSECUTIVE MISERY
The Mariners have allowed 15 runs in two straight for the first time since beginning play in 1977.
SMALL STREAK SNAPPED
Seattle had won its last three series.
UP NEXT
Mariners: LHP Vidal Nuno (0-1) is set to make his third start of the season in the series finale on Sunday.
Red Sox: LHP Henry Owens (1-1) is scheduled to make his third major league start. He earned his first big league win Monday in Detroit.
