Yankees 0, Mariners 1: King Felix Is All That Needs To Be Said

Just like the Steward of Gondor was unable to stop the Return of the King, the Yankees were unable to muster any real sort of offensive threat against Felix Hernandez this afternoon. The Mariners would only need one run to defeat the Yankees behind King Felix's stellar pitching performance. I don't even attribute this to yet another annoying one-run loss. This was simply being shut down by an incredible pitcher. Sometimes there's nothing you can do about that.

Obviously there will not be much talk about the offense in this recap. I mean seriously, what offense? This was a pitcher's duel, pure and simple. King Felix clearly won the duel as he pitched a complete two-hit game shut out. He struck out six and only walked two batters. Robinson Cano and Ichiro Suzuki were the only two Yankees to get a hit. Ichiro extended his hitting streak. That will pretty much round up the Yankees' offense for today.

Hiroki Kuroda continued his bid to be known as the best pitcher on the Yankees. His performance this afternoon is just another example why individual win/loss records for pitchers mean very little. Kuroda pitched a pretty good game today as well. He went 6.1 innings and gave up one earned run and seven hits while striking out four and walking one run. You really couldn't ask for much more from him today. Going the distance and getting the ball to the bullpen while only giving up one run is precisely what you want out of your starters. The bullpen did their job as well. The combination of Boone Logan, David Robertson, and Clay Rapada would strike out five, walk no one, and give up only one hit and no runs. The pitching was spot on from the boys in pinstripes. They just couldn't match up against the King.

King Felix. That'll finish up this recap!

The Yankees will attempt to thwart the Mariners attempt to win this series tomorrow. Hisashi Iwakuma will face off against Freddy Garcia in a matchup for the century. Or the day.