Seven-Inning Felix (14-8) failed to live up his name again. He pitched only six innings (100 pitches) against the fourth-place Chicago White Sox, giving up four earned runs on nine hits, a walk, and a wild pitch. This increases his earned-run average to 3.74. (The league's leader is at 2.04.) He took the loss, which gives him a record of 3-3 and one no-decision since the All-Star Game. This is supposed to be the time of year when players bear down, especially when they're being paid $24.8 million. Felix is on track for 18 victories. He has never won 20 and he has never appeared in a playoff game.
Addendum: Seven-Inning Felix has no shortage of apologists. Here is a paragraph from the story:
"It just wasn't his night," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said. "His stuff was coming out crisp. He just elevated a couple change ups and they took advantage."
Here is what I would have said, were I his manager:
This is the time of year when highly paid players are supposed to perform. Felix knows that he is letting his team down, and I'm certain his teammates and the fans know it as well. I expect him to get his pitch count down and go into the eighth and ninth innings from now on. We're not talking about a fourth or fifth starter here. We're talking about an ace—someone who is paid to lead the team. When he leaves the game after six innings, having already thrown 100 pitches, he sets a bad example for his younger and less-experienced teammates. Felix needs to watch some video of Bob Gibson, Steve Carlton, and Jack Morris.
McClendon is a sorry excuse for a manager. Instead of kicking Felix in the ass, McClendon coddles and apologizes for him.
