Mariners notebook: King Felix Hernandez goes for number 19

Felix Hernandez is on the doorstep of a number of big milestones, plus news and notes including how Nelson Cruz continues to give it his all.

BY SHANNON DRAYER

Sep 26, 2015, 5:58 PM Updated: 7:04 pm

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Felix Hernandez dealt with elbow stiffness after his last start but is going for win No. 19 Saturday. (AP)

(AP)

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Felix Hernandez continues his quest for 20 Saturday in Anaheim. The stiff elbow he experienced during his last start did not keep him from any of his normal work this week. He’s been given an extra day of rest and should be good to go.

Three big milestones are still on the table for Felix. A win and he would match his career high for a season and be one from 20 with one start left. He is 4 1/3 innings from 200 for the season and 15 strikeouts from 200. If he gets both he will become just the fourth player in MLB history to do so in seven consecutive seasons. All would be very nice entries on the resume.

Against the Angels he is 7-2 with a 2.70 ERA in his last 13 starts, although they got to him a bit in his last start when he went seven innings surrendering four runs. Felix has been very strong against division rivals, picking up 11 wins this year, which is tied for the most in a single season since 1994 when the league expanded.

Lineups!

Ketel Marte, SS
Kyle Seager, 3B
Nelson Cruz, DH
Robinson Cano, 2B
Franklin Gutierrez, LF
Mark Trumbo, RF
Jesus Montero, 1B
Jesus Sucre, C
Shawn O’Malley, CF

Felix Hernandez, RHP

Notes

• Vidal Nuno was pulled early from last night’s game because Lloyd McClendon thought he might need to go to him Tuesday against Houston. It turns out that is what they are going to do. Roenis Elias will pitch Monday, Nuno on Tuesday and Wednesday remains TBA. The hope obviously is James Paxton will be able to make that start.

• Friday night it took a few extra minutes for me to join the postgame show. Why? Because Nelson Cruz was working out. With just over a week to go in the season and a troublesome quad, Cruz has not let up at all.

“I’m still thinking of October,” he said. “That’s the mindset that you have to have. Anything can happen. It’s difficult, but we have to play for the fans, play for the city.”

As for the home run, Cruz is enjoying a friendly competition with Chris Davis for the mark this year.

“We’re close friends,” he said. “We talk, we text. I’m happy for the success he’s having.”