In a season full of struggles, injuries, and disappointment, it's good to know that there is one thing we can always count on. This season, that one thing is the Seattle Mariners. Despite the bad luck, injuries, and underperformance we've had to deal with as a fanbase, we have been able to watch our Padres go 4-0 over those hated Mariners, clinching the season series and the Vedder Cup with last night's victory. Clayton Richard pitched a decent 6 2/3 innings on his way to his third straight win. It was not his best outing, but it was enough to top Seattle. His first few innings were a bit rough, but he was able to settle down and bounce back. He also helped his own cause by plating three runners with a 2-run double in the fourth and a 1-run single in the fifth.
Today our boys will try to continue their dominance over our Seattle rivals. Jason Marquis will toe the rubber in his fourth start as a Padre. The veteran righty is trying to take advantage of this opportunity he is getting with San Diego. He's only 1-2 in his first three starts, but he has done a good job of keeping opposing teams from coming home much. He pitched and won against Seattle on June 13th, going 6 1/3 innings and allowing no earned runs on 6 hits while striking out four batters.
Our offense will face Felix Hernandez, who is coming off a great performance against the Giants. He pitched seven innings of one-run ball while striking out seven, which came as a relief in the midst of a rough patch for the Mariners rotation. As a team, they've gone 3-9 in their past 12 games. Seattle starters have combined for 29 runs in 19 1/3 innings in four games so far on this road trip. Hernandez will try to build on his last start, as his six starts prior to that saw him rack up a 6.37 ERA. That includes a start against our Padres on June 12th at SafeCo Field, where he allowed five runs on nine hits and three walks in his six innings of work.
Last night's win was our highest-scoring game at Petco Park this season and, combined with a loss by the Cubs, put us half a game ahead of dead last in the MLB standings. Let's keep the wins coming, stay out of the MLB basement, and continue to show the Mariners that we truly own this natural rivalry.
GO FRIARS!! KEEP THE FAITH!!