Seattle struttin’

June 24th, 2008 at 01:31am Tony Garcia

Going slightly off the subject (but at least I’ll stay on a baseball topic).

Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez hit a grand slam in Seattle’s 5-2 win over the New York Mets. Unfortunately for King Felix, he did not qualify for the win after he suffered an injury attempting to cover home plate.

It was dutifully noted that this was not only the first homer in Mariners’ history but also the first grand slam from an AL pitcher in 37 years.

However, it was NOT the first grand slam by a pitcher in Seattle history. That honor goes to Fred Talbot, who got the honor and the complete game decision July 9, 1969, in the Pilots’ 8-0 victory over the California Angels. (That’s what 78 readings of Ball Four will do to you.)

Monday night’s game also marked the first time that Mariners manager Jim Riggleman and Mets skipper Jerry Manuel locked horns since the final game of the 1999 Crosstown Classic on July 11, a 6-3 Cubs’ win over the White Sox. Riggs would find the unemployment line at the end of the season. Manuel would be a season away from an AL Central title.

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