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SEATTLE -- Even in the middle of his best outing this season and coming within one out of his first complete game since August 2012, Felix Hernandez took notice of the stadium radar gun flashing numbers in the mid-90s when his fastball cracked the glove. Firmino Liverpool Shirt . "Ive still got it," Seattles ace said with a sly grin. Riding that fastball carrying a little more zip, Hernandez took a shutout bid into the ninth inning as the Mariners beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 on Wednesday night. On the verge of a brilliant shutout and first complete game since Aug. 27, 2012 against Minnesota, Hernandez couldnt get the 27th out. He gave up a two-out single to Mike Trout and an RBI double to Albert Pujols that took away the shutout and the complete game and caused Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon to turn to his closer. Still, the effort by Hernandez (7-1) continued a dominant run. He won his fourth consecutive start and became the seventh pitcher in Mariners history with seven victories before June 1. In those last four starts, Hernandez has allowed eight earned runs in 31 1-3 innings with 30 strikeouts. He now has a 57-7 record in his career when pitching at least eight innings. "I think were all getting accustomed to how hes been throwing. Hes just coming out and establishing the fastball early and going to his off speed pitches when he needs to," Seattle catcher Mike Zunino said. Providing the offence behind Hernandezs gem was Zunino, who homered and drove in all of Seattles runs. He gave the Mariners the lead with a two-out, two-run single in the second and led off the eighth with a home run off C.J. Wilson (6-4). Wilson was nearly the equal of Hernandez. Also trying to get his seventh win, Wilson allowed just five hits and struck out five before getting lifted with two outs in the eighth. Five of Zuninos seven homers this season have come in Hernandez starts. But he was more pleased with the single in the second inning that scored Justin Smoak and Kyle Seager. "When you can do that with two outs and put the team on the board early and see some pitches, that was the biggest thing for me and gave you confidence as the game went on," Zunino said. Hernandez cruised through the eighth, still hitting the mid-90s mph on the stadium radar gun and closed the inning striking out Hank Conger. There was very little discussion with McClendon and Hernandez jogged from the dugout to start the ninth to a big ovation having allowed just two hits. He struck out Collin Cowgill swinging and retired Howie Kendrick on a fly ball. But Trout and Pujols wouldnt let Hernandez finish it off. He struck out nine and walked two. Closer Fernando Rodney entered and got David Freese to line out for his 13th save of the season. "He was strong. He felt great. Its just tough there, you have to weigh the players but also what is good for the team," McClendon said. "I had my closer up and he was ready to go so we thought it was the best matchup." Hernandez struck out five of the first nine batters by changing up his game plan. He relied more on his fastball early and went to off speed pitches later in the game. Kendrick ended any thoughts of another special night from Hernandez with a solid single leading off the fourth. Trout then walked, but Hernandez skirted the jam thanks to Zunino throwing out Kendrick trying to steal third and Freeses strikeout. The only other hit before the ninth was Erick Aybars single in the fifth. "We really didnt get a chance to pressure him much and the couple of times we did we couldnt get the runs across," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. NOTES: Matt Shoemaker will start Thursdays series finale for the Angels. He was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake after LHP Sean Burnett tore a ligament in his pitching elbow in Tuesdays game. LHP Wade LeBlanc, the original starter, will now work out of the bullpen. ... Seattle RHP Taijuan Walker (shoulder) made his first rehab start at Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday night and threw three innings, giving up five hits, four earned runs and striking out three. He threw 61 pitches. Jordan Henderson t Shirt . At this rate, the Flyers captain is set to be remembered more for a fantastic finish. Mane Jersey Liverpool . The Leafs were back on the ice Wednesday following an 10-day break. It apparently wasnt long enough, as Team Canadas 2-1 win over Latvia didnt conclude before the Leafs began practice. "I was thinking we might get a little delay, but it was nice to get out there," said Tyler Bozak of watching Wednesdays game.PHOENIX -- If Phoenix is the NBAs surprise team, Miles Plumlee is the most surprising Sun of all. The 6-foot-11 centre played a grand total of 55 minutes in 14 games as a rookie for Indiana last season, then came to Phoenix almost as a throw-in in the trade that sent Luis Scola to the Pacers. Athletic and energetic, Plumlee has given the Suns an inside presence, and Phoenix -- supposed to be among the NBAs worst teams in preseason forecasts -- is 18-11 after beating the Philadelphia 76ers 115-101 Saturday night. Plumlee scored a career-high 22 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked three shots. "Im happy with my progress," he said. "I feel better every game. I feel like I have more energy because Im not as anxious on the court, Im not wasting my energy. I just feel like I can play harder." Plumlee hit the court hard trying to block a shot in the third quarter and required seven stitches to close a cut on his bearded chin before returning to the game. "He is playing hard, making quick moves," Suns coach Jeff Hornacek said. "When we get the ball inside to him, he is very confident with his moves. I think in the beginning he kind of predetermined his moves and what he wanted to do, but I think these last 10 games when he gets it in there he is seeing where the defence is and thats the shot he ends up taking." Goran Dragic added 21 points and Eric Bledsoe 20 for the Suns, who have won nine of 11 but were coming off their worst loss of the season. Marcus Morris made three fourth-quarter 3-pointers and scored 18. Thaddeus Young scored 30 points, Michael Carter-Williams 27 and Tony Wroten 22 for the 76ers, who lost their 13th road game in a row and have dropped nine of 10 overall. Evan Turner, Philadelphias leading scorer at 19.3 points per game, sat out to rest his sore right knee. "We missed Evan, but 101 points is still a nice effort from some of our young kids tonight and from some veteran players," 76ers coach Brett Brown said. "But defensively we just have a long waay to go. Liverpool Jersey Sale Uk. quot; Phoenix lost 115-86 at Golden State on Friday night. The 76ers hadnt played in a week and had been in Arizona since Thursday. Dragic said the Suns didnt play well Saturday, just good enough to win. "We should have been up by at least 15 points at the half," he said. "They had too many easy baskets, especially their guards. In the end, it was a tough game, but I am happy with that win." Phoenix had 31 fast-break points to Philadelphias 14. "Were not going to win games giving up 30 fast-break points," Carter-Williams said, "so weve got to get back on mistakes, and that starts with me getting back and when I get back, that leads everyone else getting back." Philadelphia stayed in it for a while with 3-point shooting, going 9 for 16 in the first half to trail just 60-59, but the Sixers were 2 of 13 on 3s in the second half. Carter-Williams and Young opened the third quarter with 3-pointers to put the 76ers up 65-59, then Plumlee scored inside and converted a three-point play to tie it at 65. Bledsoes 3-pointer from the corner put Phoenix up 70-67 with 8:32 left, igniting a 15-4 run that put the Suns ahead 82-71 after Dragic stole the ball from Wroten and made the breakaway layup with 4:49 to play in the quarter. Phoenix led the rest of the way. The Suns were up 88-81 entering the fourth. A pair of free throws by Young cut it to 96-90 with 6:43 to play, but Morris sank consecutive 3s from the top of the key, then Dragic banked in a 3-pointer and Phoenix was in control 105-90 with 4:22 left. "I dont think we played a great game tonight," Hornacek said. "We were OK. That was about it. Weve got to play better." NOTES: Youngs string of 10 consecutive 3-pointers ended when he misfired with 6 minutes to go in the second quarter. ... Philadelphia won its first road game of the season and none since. ... The Suns improved to 11-4 at home. ... Phoenix was the second stop on a six-game road trip for Philadelphia. ... Phoenix is 10-0 at home when leading after three quarters. ' ' '
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Activity: May 25 '20
