Yankees Overthrow King Felix

Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez is known as "King Felix." I don't know why: "Felix" suggests "cat," not royalty; and he's never appeared in a postseason game, much less won a title, like King (LeBron) James, 1930s Hall of Fame pitcher King Carl Hubbell, and 1880s Hall of Fame catcher Mike (King) Kelly.

It's not that he doesn't have great career stats. He's 169-131 despite pitching for a weak team most of his career, and he's got 2,498 strikeouts, a Cy Young Award, a perfect game, and 6 All-Star berths. He could end up in the Hall himself.

But last night, he was up against a pitcher who's not only had a better career, but may be better right now, despite being 6 years older: CC Sabathia, going for career win Number 248, in his 1st start since gaining strikeout Number 3,000. The Yankees backed CC up by once again overthrowing the "King." You might even say they crowned him.

They did so early. Luke Voit launched a 2-run home run off him in the 1st inning. Then came 4 runs in the 2nd, including a homer by Brett Gardner and the 1st major league home run by 23-year-old Venezuelan infielder Thairo Estrada, wearing Number 30. They tacked another run on in the 3rd, to make it 7-0.

And yet, both starting pitchers went just 5 innings. Although, in CC's case, it was less because he allowed 2 runs in the 4th and another in the 5th, and more because he hit the Holy Pitch Limit. But, between them, Jonathan Holder, Adam Ottavino, Zack Britton and Luis Cessa pitched 4 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits and a walk.

Yankees 7, Mariners 3. WP: Sabathia (2-1). No save. LP: Hernandez (1-3).

The series continues tonight. Masahiro Tanaka starts against Marco Gonzales.