Felix Hernandez Gave Up Eight Runs to the Astros ... in 1/3 of an Inning!

Felix Hernandez … what happened? Tonight in Houston the Mariners all-world ace lasted a third of a inning after allowing eight earned runs. His only out came via a called third strike on rookie Carlos Correa. Hernandez allowed five hits — including home runs to Luis Valbuena and Jason Castro, along with two walks.

Lloyd McClendon lifted Hernandez after the Castro homer and replaced him with noted “Middle Out” enthusiast Joe Beimel.

Here, via Twitter dot com, are a couple stat quirks about the start …

Félix Hernández: 1/3 IP, 8 ER. Tied for both fewest IP in a start and and most earned runs allowed in his career.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 13, 2015

Felix Hernandez's ERA jumped from 2.51 to 3.38. Don't remember ever seeing him rocked like that in the first inning. #Mariners
— Larry Stone (@StoneLarry) June 13, 2015

Felix Hernandez gave up 8 earned runs in all of May.

He just gave up 8 runs in a 1/3 of an inning vs the #Astros in Houston.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 13, 2015

I've been covering the M's since 2006 and never seen an outing that bad from Felix Hernandez.
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) June 13, 2015

Félix Hernández's start tonight was 12th time in Divisional Era (since 1969) that a starter allowed 8+ ER while getting 1 out or fewer.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 13, 2015

Allow this to serve as a reminder that everybody, even former Cy Young winners, have bad days. This also serves as another low ebb for the Mariners this year, who began the season as a trendy World Series pick but are 27-33 and 6.5 games behind the first place Astros entering play Friday.

This tweet from a Mariners fan in my timeline is fitting:

Slow down, everyone. The good news about the Mariners is that eventually the sun will burn out and the Earth will be thrust into darkness.
— Mike Standish (@MikeStandish) June 13, 2015

[Photo via USAT]