Encarnacion Hits Two Homers in 6th, M’s Crush Royals 13-5

The first game of the four game series in Kansas City saw Seattle’s Felix Hernandez starting on his birthday, and the Royals’ Homer Bailey facing the Mariners for the first time in his career. Hernandez would not last into the second inning, and a struggling Mariners bullpen was called on early. However, the M’s relievers pitched well, and the Seattle hitters continued to feast on opposing pitchers.

The Mariners went down harmlessly in the top of the first. In the bottom of the inning, the Royals got to work. Whit Merrifield kept his hitting streak going, now at 29 games dating back to last season. Then, Adalberto Mondesi roped a double of Hernandez to give KC a 1-0 lead.

With Mondesi at second, Alex Gordon wasted no time making it, 2-0 KC.

Fortunately, Hernandez was able to get out of the inning after avoiding a pitch hit up the middle. Unfortunately, he would get pulled after the first inning. However, in the top of the second, Daniel Vogelbach continued his hot stretch with a lead-off homer. 2-1 KC.

Vogelbach’s homer gave the M’s 12 straight games with a home run, which is a club record. Dylan Moore stepped up two batters later and hit a home run of his own, 2-2 top of the second.

Alex Gordon came back up in the bottom of the second and continued to be a thorn in the M’s side. 3-2 KC.

The Mariners failed to do anything in their half of the third inning. Kansas City picked up another run, this one courtesy of Chris Owings, 4-2 KC.

Both the Mariners and Royals held each other scoreless in the fourth inning. Domingo Santana stepped to the plate in the top of the fifth, with two outs. He got the Mariners even again, now 4-4.

The M’s kept Kansas City quiet in the fifth. Edwin Encarnacion and Seattle broadcaster Aaron Goldsmith were not interested in keeping things quiet. 5-4 M’s.

Royals starter Homer Bailey was pulled after the home run and two more batters reached base. Dee Gordon stepped up big with an RBI single to center field. 6-4 M’s.

Another pitching change later, Mitch Hangier joined the hit brigade to put Seattle up 7-4.

Domingo Santana was not satisfied with just two RBI on the day. So, he picked up two more runs batted in. 9-4 M’s.

In case you’ve forgotten with all these highlights, all this happened in the sixth inning. And the M’s weren’t done yet. Encarnacion stepped in for his second at-bat of the inning and crushed another home run. 12-4 M’s after the sixth finally ended.

The Mariners bullpen struggled to begin the season, but tonight they kept KC off the board from the third through the eighth inning. Mariners right fielder Jay Bruce wanted another run, so he smashed it out of Kauffman Stadium. 13-4 M’s.

Speaking of the M’s bullpen struggling, Cory Gearrin has struggled mightily this season. In his last outing, he gave up three runs without getting an out. Tonight, he got three outs and only gave up one run, an RBI double to Lucas Duda. 13-5 M’s.

Despite giving up the run, Gearrin was able to regroup and get the final out. Marienrs win 13-5.

After Hernandez was removed in the first inning, he couldn’t be the winning or losing pitcher. Homer Bailey would be the losing pitcher for the Royals.

Winning Pitcher, Roenis Elias: 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 K, 1 BB | Losing Pitcher, Bailey: 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 7 K, 2 BB

Edwin Encarnacion had a ridiculous day. Two hits, both home runs, which both happened in the sixth inning. His final line: 2-for-4, 2 HRs, 4 RBI, 2 Runs scored, 1 BB.

Domingo Santana also pounded the ball, just not out of the park. His line: 3-for-5, 4 RBI, Run scored.

Notes:

• Felix Hernandez was removed from the game due to virus-like symptoms, according to Jen Mueller.
• The 13 runs are the most for the Mariners so far in a single game this year.
• Seattle became just the fourth American League team to start the season hitting a home run in each of their first 12 games.

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