Last Saturday was supposed to be Felix's last game of the year. He ended with a strikeout.
Today, he was supposed to be done after six. He ended with a double play.
Working with a low pitch count, Felix was allowed back out there for the seventh, his official last inning of the season. He ended with a strikeout.
Felix Hernandez wrapped up his 2006 campaign both healthy and effective. 2007's going to be one wild ride.
Biggest Contribution: Felix Hernandez, +27.5%
Biggest Suckfest: Jose Lopez, -6.5%
Most Important At Bat: Beltre homer, +20.5%
Most Important Pitch: Lee groundout, +7.2%
Total Contribution by Pitcher(s): +41.8%
Total Contribution by Position Players: +8.2%
Say what you will about the season as a whole, but it's ending on a bright note, as the most important pieces of next year's Mariner team - Ichiro, Beltre, Sexson, Felix, and Putz - have had phenomenal Septembers. Special congratulations have to go to JJ for joining the somewhat rarefied air of closers with 100+ strikeouts. For much of the past few months, this group has been led by its stars, and if those guys are able to keep it up through next summer, then we won't be talking about closing up shop in the first weekend of October like we are right now.
Jake Woods gets the nod tomorrow in game #162 at 1:05pm PDT. You may not miss baseball yet, but give it 30 hours or so. It'll hit you.