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Angels can’t get much going against Seattle, Felix Hernandez in loss, 3-2

Seattle pitcher Felix Hernandez held the Angels to one run on four hits while striking out nine batters over 8 2/3 innings. The Mariners defeated the Angels, 3-1.
Seattle pitcher Felix Hernandez held the Angels to one run on four hits while striking out nine batters over 8 2/3 innings. The Mariners defeated the Angels, 3-1.
(Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images)
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KEY MOMENT: With runners on second and third and two out in the second, Angels left-hander C.J. Wilson fell behind No. 8 hitter Mike Zunino with a three-ball count. Instead of walking Zunino to face .182-hitting Nick Franklin, Wilson caught too much of the plate with a 3-and-1 fastball that Zunino lined to right for a two-run single. Franklin then flied to right, ending the inning.

AT THE PLATE: Zunino led off the eighth with a homer to left-center field, his seventh of the season. The Angels spoiled Mariners ace Felix Hernandez’s shutout bid when Mike Trout singled with two out in the ninth and scored on Albert Pujols’ double to right to make it 3-1. Seattle closer Fernando Rodney got David Freese to line out softly to shortstop for his 13th save.

ON THE MOUND: The Angels have given Hernandez trouble in the past — the right-hander entered with a 9-13 record and 3.89 earned run average in 36 starts against them — but not Wednesday night. Hernandez gave up one run and four hits in 8 2/3 innings, striking out nine and walking two, to improve to 7-1 with a 2.57 ERA on the season.

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ON SECOND THOUGHT: The Angels had two on with one out in the fourth when Kendrick got what appeared to be a good jump off second and tried to steal third. Bad move. Kendrick was thrown out by Zunino, and the rally fizzled when Freese struck out.

REHAB REPORT: Josh Hamilton, who suffered a bone bruise in his left thumb in a triple-A game last Thursday, took about 100 swings off live pitching in a cage Wednesday and expects to hit on the field Thursday. “The first few swings I was a little timid, but then I cut it loose and it felt fine,” Hamilton said.

EXTRA BASES: Left-hander Wade LeBlanc was scheduled to start Thursday night, but Burnett’s injury allowed the Angels to recall Matt Shoemaker from triple A to pitch against the Mariners.

UP NEXT: Right-hander Matt Shoemaker (2-1, 3.18 ERA) will oppose Seattle right-hander Brandon Maurer (1-3, 6.99 ERA) at Safeco Field on Thursday at 7 p.m. On the air: FS West; Radio: 830.

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