Felix Hernandez pitched 5.1 scoreless innings on Sunday in the Mariners’ last game of the season, and he exited to a beautiful standing ovation from Seattle fans after clinching his second career ERA title.
King Felix entered Sunday’s game with a 2.18 ERA, which was 0.01 behind Chris Sale’s league-leading mark of 2.17. Knowing he needed to lower his ERA to win the crown, Felix rose to the challenge and threw 5.1 innings of 1-hit shutout ball in a 4-1 win over the visiting Angels. He finished the season with a career-best 2.14 ERA, giving him his second ERA title (he won his other in his 2010 Cy Young season).
Mariners fans were so appreciative of his efforts they gave him a standing ovation after he was lifted from the game in the sixth. They continued to chant his name even after he went into the dugout, leading him to come out for a curtain call. You could tell he was honored and moved by the fans as he continued to tip his cap.
Hernandez also finished the season 15-6 after getting the win, putting him in the mix for his second Cy Young Award. Cleveland’s Corey Kluber and Detroit’s Max Scherzer will likely also be in the mix for the award, but King Felix will probably win it.
Here’s a press box view of the ovation for Felix:
One interesting note about Hernandez’s ERA title is that a scoring change made on Saturday gave him a chance at the award. MLB changed a Josh Thole bunt hit to a fielding error on Hernandez in Tuesday’s 10-2 loss to Toronto. The change made four of the eight runs Felix allowed in 4.2 innings unearned, keeping him in the mix for the honor.
Here’s a look at the play:
