the rix mix

NEW YORK (AP)—Felix Hernandez hit the first grand slam by an American League pitcher in 37 years, then departed with a sprained ankle before he could qualify for a win in the Seattle Mariners’ 5-2 victory over the New York Mets on Monday night.

Facing a fellow ace from Venezuela, King Felix connected off Johan Santana with two outs in the second inning to give Seattle a 4-0 lead.

The opposite-field shot to right-center was the first home run by a pitcher in Mariners history, and the first slam by an AL hurler since Cleveland’s Steve Dunning went deep against Oakland’s Diego Segui on May 11, 1971, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

One player said Hernandez didn't even have his eyes open when he swung.

Anyone remember Fred "Chicken" Stanley? The light-hitting but much-liked utility infielder spent 8 years with the Yankees from 1973-1980. He hit ten career homeruns. Once he hit a grand slam, & the Yankee dugout responded by giving him the silent treatment, everyone totally ignored him when he returned from his base-clearing feat. They showed it on camera. It was very funny, Billy Martin engrossed with the lineup card, some players pretending to have napped through the event.

Labels: baseball