Joshua Bessex joshua.bessex@gateline.com
SEATTLE — Felix Hernandez and Justin Verlander share several similar pitching statistics.
Both veteran right-handers made their MLB debuts in 2005. Both have frustrated American League batters for the better part of 15 seasons, started more than 400 games, and have impressively low career ERAs — Hernandez at 3.34, and Verlander at 3.39.
But, as strikingly similar as the numbers are, it was Verlander, the Houston Astros ace, who had the edge in the fifth career meeting between the two former AL Cy Young winners Saturday night at T-Mobile Park, which culminated in a 3-1 loss for the Mariners.