Mariners notebook: Scott Servais, Chris Iannetta return to Anaheim

Game 1 of the three-game set in Anaheim marks the return of Mariners manager Scott Servais and catcher Chris Iannetta to face their former club, Servais as an assistant general manager the past four years and Iannetta as their main backstop.

“A lot of good memories,” said Servais in his afternoon meeting with the media. “It was kind of surreal walking to the ballpark, coming in to the visiting clubhouse. Change happens in the game; it’s a great opportunity for me and I am happy to be back.”

Felix Hernandez scratched from start vs. Angels

“I enjoyed my time here,” said Iannetta. “A great group of guys. The fans were good to me, I loved being in Southern California while I was here. The experience was a positive one.”

With eight years combined Angels experience for their catcher and manager, it would seem that the Mariners would have a little bit of a leg up in the intel for this series. While Iannetta tried to downplay this story angle saying that with the amount of information that is now available to everyone the playing field is much more equal, Servais didn’t quite discount the idea that he might know a thing or two about the team on the other side of the field.

“You watch every game for the last four years, you know the players and the personalities. How does that play out in the field? I’m not playing in the game tonight, I will just be in the dugout trying to put our guys in position for success.”

Of course there is a little bit of a change to the plan as Felix Hernandez was scratched from his scheduled start due to illness. Servais was alerted to this around noon and he put in a call to Hisashi Iwakuma, who said that he was happy to take the ball.

“This is pretty odd for Felix,” Servais said. “He takes the ball no matter what. I trust the training staff.  The training staff said it would be best to give him a day and make sure he’s got his legs under him because he didn’t feel well at all.”

I talked to Felix, who was a little frustrated with himself for not being able to go.

“First time I have missed a start because I am sick,” he said shaking his head.

He said that he was suffering from the same flu that went around this spring and that he expected to be good to go Saturday. If he can’t start, Servais would most likely go with Mike Montgomery in a spot start. As for Kuma, because of the off day Monday he is on regular rest. He has had his normal routine leading into the start with one exception: his game day meals today were different as he didn’t know he would be pitching until around noon. Who knows, if all goes well tonight, he might just stick with the new routine.

Lineup!

Norichika Aoki, LF
Seth Smith, RF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nelson Cruz, DH
Kyle Seager, 3B
Adam Lind, 1B
Chris Iannetta, C
Leonys Martin, CF
Ketel Marte, SS

Hisashi Iwakuma, RHP

Notes

• The Mariners have announced that they are moving the start time of their game on Saturday, April 30 against the Royals from 6:10 p.m. to 7:10. That day is Nelson Cruz “Boomstick” Bobblehead Night and a crowd of approximately 40,000 is expected. With the SR 99 viaduct being closed and the Sounders expecting a large crowd as well, the team felt it was best to get as much separation between the two games as possible.

• If he is able to make the start Saturday, Felix will be going for the club strikeout record. He needs just one strikeout to pass Randy Johnson at 2,162 Ks.

• With Felix unable to go Friday it now looks like he will miss pitching against the Astros in the upcoming homestand.

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