SEATTLE (AP) — Felix Hernandez wasn’t perfect. He was still dominant.
Hernandez allowed one run in 7 2-3 innings in the first start following his perfect game, Jesus Montero hit a three-run homer in Seattle’s four-run seventh inning, and the Mariners won their seventh straight beating the Cleveland Indians 5-1 on Tuesday night.
Greeted by a crowd of more than 39,000, most of them in yellow shirts with the words “King of Perfection” honoring his perfect game, Hernandez (12-5) gave up a leadoff single to Jason Kipnis on a 0-2 pitch. He allowed seven hits and struck out five.
Cleveland starter Roberto Hernandez (0-2) didn’t allow a hit until Eric Thames’ homer with two outs in the fifth. John Jaso later broke a 1-1 tie with an RBI double in the seventh and was followed by Montero’s 13th homer of the season.