Rangers felt the brunt of great year for Seattle’s Hernandez

Posted Monday, Oct. 05, 2009 Comments   (0) Print Share Share Reprints
A

Have more to add? News tip? Tell us

By ANTHONY ANDRO

aandro@star-telegram.com

SEATTLE — The Texas Rangers saw enough of Seattle ace Felix Hernandez to know that he’s worthy of American League Cy Young consideration.

Hernandez won his 19th game of the season Sunday, and went 4-1 against the Rangers this year. The right-hander is a front-runner for the Cy Young Award along with Kansas City’s Zack Greinke.

His outing Sunday didn’t hurt his chances. He allowed two earned runs in 6 2/3 innings, striking out six. He finished the season with a 2.49 ERA.

"He was the same Felix today," said second baseman Ian Kinsler, who went 1-for-3 against Hernandez with a double. "I faced him a lot more than I’ve faced the other guys. He dominated the West, and I think the West is pretty tough. If I had a vote, I’d vote for him. There are a lot of guys who are having really good years."

Manager Ron Washington ranked Hernandez at the top of a talented list of pitchers in the AL along with Greinke, New York’s CC Sabathia and Toronto’s Roy Halladay.

"I’ve seen more of Hernandez and I don’t know how there can be anything better," Washington said. "There’s quite a few of them out there, but we’ve seen this guy many a time, and every time we see him he’s good."

End of road for Blalock

Hank Blalock didn’t get nostalgic about what was probably his last game in a Rangers uniform. After missing three games because of mild concussion, he started at first base and went 0-for-3 with a run scored.

Blalock was thankful for his time with the team.

"It wasn’t weird," he said. "As the season was winding down, I saw the end coming. I’m not too sentimental about most things. I was drafted by this organization in 1999 and it was the only uniform I’ve ever put on."

Blalock, who finished the year with 25 homers and 66 RBI, is ready for what the future holds.

"I’ve had some special times as a Ranger and I appreciate everyone," he said. "I’ve had some great times and developed some great relationships here. I’m about to start the second chapter in my career."

Griffey celebration

While Hank Blalock may have played his last game for the Rangers, Ken Griffey Jr. played what may have been the last game of his career. He singled off C.J. Wilson in his final at-bat and was carried off the field after the game.

Wilson isn’t so sure Griffey is done, especially after Griffey singled to center off him in the eighth.

"The way I look at it Griffey is probably so happy he got a hit off me he’ll probably come back," Wilson said. "I don’t know what part of the bat he put on it, who knows."

While Wilson may have given up the final hit of Griffey’s career, rookie right-hander Tommy Hunter was quick to point out that he gave up a homer to Griffey on Saturday.

Young misses game

Third baseman Michael Young missed the season finale as he flew home Sunday morning to be with his wife, Cristina. They are expecting the birth of their second child. Esteban German started at third base.

Marlon Byrd, who finished as the team’s RBI leader with 89, also didn’t play.

Anthony Andro, 817-390-7760

Looking for comments?

Join the discussion

The Star-Telegram is pleased to provide this opportunity for you to share your thoughts and observations about news topics. We enjoy lively debate on the issues of the day, but we ask that you refrain from using profanity, racist or hate speech, engaging in personal attacks or name-calling, posting advertising or external links or including remarks that are off topic. To post comments, you must be a registered user of Star-Telegram.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.