Felix Hernandez nearly made history the last time he faced the Twins. It was May 5 in Seattle, more than three months before he tossed his perfect game against Tampa Bay, but King Felix was almost as unhittable.
In eight innings against Hernandez, the Twins managed one hit -- fourth-inning single by Denard Span. With the Mariners cruising to a 7-0 victory, and Hernandez at 107 pitches, Mariners manager Eric Wedge had Steve Delabar pitch the ninth. But you can bet, Hernandez would have been back on the mound for the ninth if his no-hit bid had been intact.
On Monday night, Hernandez gets another chance to face the Twins, this time at Target Field. The righthander is 8-0 with a 1.53 ERA in his past starts and has held opponents to a .184 batting average in that stretch.
Joe Mauer has handled him well over the years, batting .448 (12-for-29) with two homers, four doubles and seven RBI. Justin Morneau, on the other hand, is 4-for-29 (.138) with one homer off Hernandez for his career.
The Twins counter with Liam Hendriks, who is still looking for his first major league win, at 0-8 with a 6.75 ERA in 13 starts. If the 23-year-old Australian get that elusive win tonight, opposite King Felilx, that will make for quite a memory.
MARINERS (61-67)
1. Dustin Ackley, 2B
2. Carlos Gutierrez, CF
3. Kyle Seager, 3B
4. Jesus Montero, DH
5. John Jaso, C
6. Justin Smoak, 1B
7. Eric Thames, RF
8. Trayvon Robinson, LF
9. Brendan Ryan, SS
Starting pitcher: RH Felix Hernandez (12-5, 2.54 ERA)
