SAN DIEGO -- As the Mariners arrived in San Diego, eager to make the most of a two-game Interleague series against a slumping last-place team before heading up to Oakland for a far more pivotal series, they turned to one of their most beloved franchise players, a hero -- or king, if you will -- of yesteryear.
Felix Hernandez notched his best start in over two months, allowing two earned runs over seven innings in his longest start since June 14.. He gave up just four hits, walked two and struck out nine -- a season high -- but the offense couldn't back him up, sputtering to a 2-1 loss against the Padres and falling even further behind the Astros and A's in the American League playoff push.