Phil Hughes pitched six strong innings to help New York increase its AL East lead to a season-high four games over idle Boston. With the one-sided victory, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera didn’t need to leave the bullpen for a chance at his 600th save.
The Yankees did most of their damage against Hernandez (14-12), last year’s AL Cy Young Award winner. Hernandez retired his first six batters, three on strikeouts, but Brett Gardner opened the third with a sharp single to left. Dickerson followed with a hard single through the right side.
With one out, Derek Jeter hit a two-hopper to third baseman Kyle Seager, whose only play was to first. Gardner scored on the fielder’s choice.
The Mariners responded in the bottom half against Hughes (5-5). Brendan Ryan drew a one-out walk and stole second.With two outs and an 0-2 count, Ichiro Suzuki delivered an RBI single.
For Ichiro, it was career hit No. 2,413. He needs two more to tie Yankees great Mickey Mantle on the career list.
The Yankees roughed up Hernandez in the fourth for five runs beginning with Teixeira’s solo homer on an 0-1 pitch.
Hernandez worked six innings, giving up nine hits and six runs — one fewer than his season high. He struck out four with no walks.
SOUNDS FAMILIAR
When Mariners manager Eric Wedge got to talking about starting shortstop Brendan Ryan before the game Monday, it became clear in some way he was talking about himself – which made him and the media listening laugh out loud.
“He’s awfully hard on himself, and he get’s frustrated when he fails,” Wedge said. “He drives himself crazy, then he drives me crazy.”
What does Wedge do in that event?
“I tell him he’s driving me crazy, I have (bench coach) Robby Thompson yell at him. He’s a great kid, and that’s going to be part of his offseason program – handling his frustration.”
Wedge then stopped a moment and grinned.
“If my wife reads this, it might be taped to my fridge,” he said.
STICKING AROUND
It’s the time of the season when some veterans think about calling it a career and tackle whatever comes next.
For Mariners Jamey Wright, 36, and Adam Kennedy, 35 – not so much.
Wright has been in the big leagues since 1996, came to camp as a nonroster invitee, made the team by not allowing a run all spring and has appeared in 56 games this season, going 2-3 with a save and a 3.43 earned-run average.
“I want to pitch as long as someone wants me to pitch,” Wright said. “I talked to a friend who’s not in the game the other day and he said, ‘You know, when you leave the game, you’re going to age fast because you’ll start hanging out with guys your own age for a change.’”
Kennedy, who made his big-league debut in 1999, wants to continue playing, too. In 106 games this year, he’s batted .231 with a team-high 23 doubles, seven home runs and 37 RBI.
“My sons are at an age where they miss me being home, but they appreciate what I do, too,” Kennedy said. “I still love the competition – and the clubhouse.”
Both men have been credited with having a positive influence on rookies.
NIEHAUS STATUE
The Mariners will unveil a statue of broadcaster Dave Niehaus in a pregame ceremony Friday.
Created by Chicago artist Lou Cella, the statue will be a permanent addition to Safeco Field, and Dave’s wife, Marilyn, team president Chuck Armstrong and former catcher Dan Wilson will speak at the ceremony.
SHORT HOPS
Ryan came off the disabled list Aug. 19, and has struggled at the plate since. Coming into the Monday game, Wedge dropped him from second in the lineup to eighth. Why? Since being activated, Ryan had batted .147. ... Promotion Alert: All kids 14 and younger will get free Felix Hernandez children’s books at Wednesday’s game.
ON TAP
Seattle hosts the Yankees in a 7:10 p.m. game that will be broadcast on Root Sports. Probable starting pitchers: New York’s A.J. Burnett (9-11, 5.27 ERA) vs. Charlie Furbush (3-8, 4.84).
Staff writer Larry LaRue contributed to this report.
