shootout tomorrow. So Im happy to be at 9

[lw789]

SEATTLE -- Even in the middle of his best outing this season and coming within one out of his first complete game since August 2012, Felix Hernandez took notice of the stadium radar gun flashing numbers in the mid-90s when his fastball cracked the glove. "Ive still got it," Seattles ace said with a sly grin. Riding that fastball carrying a little more zip, Hernandez took a shutout bid into the ninth inning as the Mariners beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 on Wednesday night. On the verge of a brilliant shutout and first complete game since Aug. 27, 2012 against Minnesota, Hernandez couldnt get the 27th out. He gave up a two-out single to Mike Trout and an RBI double to Albert Pujols that took away the shutout and the complete game and caused Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon to turn to his closer. Still, the effort by Hernandez (7-1) continued a dominant run. He won his fourth consecutive start and became the seventh pitcher in Mariners history with seven victories before June 1. In those last four starts, Hernandez has allowed eight earned runs in 31 1-3 innings with 30 strikeouts. He now has a 57-7 record in his career when pitching at least eight innings. "I think were all getting accustomed to how hes been throwing. Hes just coming out and establishing the fastball early and going to his off speed pitches when he needs to," Seattle catcher Mike Zunino said. Providing the offence behind Hernandezs gem was Zunino, who homered and drove in all of Seattles runs. He gave the Mariners the lead with a two-out, two-run single in the second and led off the eighth with a home run off C.J. Wilson (6-4). Wilson was nearly the equal of Hernandez. Also trying to get his seventh win, Wilson allowed just five hits and struck out five before getting lifted with two outs in the eighth. Five of Zuninos seven homers this season have come in Hernandez starts. But he was more pleased with the single in the second inning that scored Justin Smoak and Kyle Seager. "When you can do that with two outs and put the team on the board early and see some pitches, that was the biggest thing for me and gave you confidence as the game went on," Zunino said. Hernandez cruised through the eighth, still hitting the mid-90s mph on the stadium radar gun and closed the inning striking out Hank Conger. There was very little discussion with McClendon and Hernandez jogged from the dugout to start the ninth to a big ovation having allowed just two hits. He struck out Collin Cowgill swinging and retired Howie Kendrick on a fly ball. But Trout and Pujols wouldnt let Hernandez finish it off. He struck out nine and walked two. Closer Fernando Rodney entered and got David Freese to line out for his 13th save of the season. "He was strong. He felt great. Its just tough there, you have to weigh the players but also what is good for the team," McClendon said. "I had my closer up and he was ready to go so we thought it was the best matchup." Hernandez struck out five of the first nine batters by changing up his game plan. He relied more on his fastball early and went to off speed pitches later in the game. Kendrick ended any thoughts of another special night from Hernandez with a solid single leading off the fourth. Trout then walked, but Hernandez skirted the jam thanks to Zunino throwing out Kendrick trying to steal third and Freeses strikeout. The only other hit before the ninth was Erick Aybars single in the fifth. "We really didnt get a chance to pressure him much and the couple of times we did we couldnt get the runs across," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. NOTES: Matt Shoemaker will start Thursdays series finale for the Angels. He was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake after LHP Sean Burnett tore a ligament in his pitching elbow in Tuesdays game. LHP Wade LeBlanc, the original starter, will now work out of the bullpen. ... Seattle RHP Taijuan Walker (shoulder) made his first rehab start at Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday night and threw three innings, giving up five hits, four earned runs and striking out three. He threw 61 pitches. .C. -- The shot that would have beaten No. . Appearing on TSN 1050 on Tuesday, Sean McAdam of Comcast SportsNet New England reported that the Blue Jays, along with a number of other playoff contenders were in the mix for the Boston ace. http://www.cheapbrownsjerseyselite.com/ ... obi-jersey. Grimes signed a $32 million, four-year contract to remain with Miami. The deal, which includes $16 million guaranteed, rewards Grimes for his recovery from an Achilles tendon injury that forced him to miss almost all of the 2012 season. . Viewers in the Canadiens region can watch the game on TSN Habs at 7:30pm et/8:30pm at. . A better question yet may be this: How many times has the same player been involved in both? Morneau hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning and helped the Colorado Rockies turn the third triple play in team history as they beat the San Diego Padres 8-6 on Sunday.PARAMUS, N.J. -- Jim Furyk doesnt see another chance to fail, only another chance to win. Seven times since Furyk last won at the 2010 Tour Championship, he has had at least a share of the 54-hole lead. Seven times he has failed to convert. He gave himself yet another opportunity Saturday with a bogey-free round of 2-under 69 that left him tied with Jason Day going into the final round at The Barclays. Nervous? Motivated? Determined? "Excited about one more opportunity," Furyk said. This one is not his to lose. Its for just about everyone to win. As steady as Furyk was on a cloudy Saturday at Ridgewood, Day was all over the place. He lost a ball in a mound of high grass and took double bogey on the par-5 13th, the third-easiest hole at Ridgewood in the third round. He took four shots to get down from a bunker on the par-5 17th for a bogey. Each time, the Australian bounced back with one or more birdies. Day, who has made 13 birdies the past two days, wound up with a 68. They were at 9-under 204. And they had a lot of company. Fifteen players were separated by three shots going into the final round, an eclectic group that features players trying to get into the top 100 to advance to the second event in the FedEx Cup playoffs (Morgan Hoffmann, Bo Van Pelt, Gonzalo Fernandez Castano) to players with far more experience (Hunter Mahan, Matt Kuchar). A few notable players were missing from that group. Adam Scott, tied for the lead going into the third round, made only one bogey and shot 75 to fall five shots behind. British Open and PGA champion Rory McIlroy, going after his fourth straight victory, made an early move before he was slowed by a pair of bogeys around the turn. He could only manage a 70 and was five behind. Phil Mickelson was headed home. For only the second time in six years, the 54-hole cut was used during the FedEx Cup playoff. Mickelson shot 75 and did not advance. For only the second time in six years, the 54-hole cut was used during the FedEx Cup playoff. Mickelson shot 75 and did not advance. Still unclear was whether he would play next week in the second playoff event outside Boston. If he doesnt, Mickelson could risk failing to advance to the third event in Denver. Mickelson still managed to keep it entertaining. For the second straight day, his tee shot on the par-4 fifth hole wound up on the terrace of a grandstand left of the green.ddddddddddddHe played it off the carpet, and at least this time saved par. But it wasnt enough to save him. There were wild shifts in momentum, birdies and bogeys everywhere at Ridgewood. Through it all, Furyk was a steady presence. He picked up his only two birdies on the back nine and saved par with a long bunker shot to tap-in range on the 18th to get into a familiar position. Now all he has to do is change the result. He has lost chances at a World Golf Championship and two majors. His last opportunity was a month ago in the Canadian Open, when only a few players had a realistic chance to win. Tim Clark beat him one shot. This was one is different. "Theres a ton of guys between 5- and 9-under par," Furyk said. "Going to be a little bit of a shootout tomorrow. So Im happy to be at 9 (under) and looking forward to it. Had some opportunities this year and I felt like Ive played well on Sunday." Without winning, it has been a strong year. Furyk has three runner-up finishes, eight top 10s and already has cleared $4.6 million. Hes on the Ryder Cup team for the ninth straight time, one short of the American record held by Mickelson. That glaring streak -- 0-for-7 when hes been atop the leaderboard going into Sunday since his last win -- is not on his mind. "Its done. Its over," he said. "Ive thought about those situations and how I could handle them better. Just put it behind me and try to use it to my advance. I dont need any motivation sitting tied for the lead in a big golf tournament on a golf course that I really enjoy playing and have a lot of respect for. No extra motivation needed. Im just happy to be in a good spot and looking forward to tomorrow." Day already has a victory this year -- the Match Play Championship in February -- though he has reason to feel it has been a lost year. He injured his thumb and didnt play again until the Masters, and then missed six more weeks. He is healthy now, though he hasnt been in contention in six months. "Its been a stop-start year," Day said. "To be able to work hard and get yourself into contention, maybe to even win the FedEx Cup at the end of the playoffs, would cap off a great year. Theres still a lot of good golf ahead of me." ' ' '