Mariners’ Emerson Hancock dominates in 8-0 win vs. Guardians

It’s just one start, but if this is any indication of what to expect from Emerson Hancock, it’s the best kind of problem for the Mariners.

Sunday saw 30,800 people pack themselves into a chilly T-Mobile Park to watch the Seattle Mariners, against the backdrop of a national audience on Sunday Night Baseball. At least the fans were rewarded for braving the weather, as the M’s recorded an 8-0 win to improve to 2-2 and split their four-game series with the Cleveland Guardians.

There was plenty to like about the win (which looked even better with the Mariners wearing their replica Steelheads black-and-white uniforms), including Brendan Donovan belting his second home run in four games with the team. Luke Raley hit his team-leading sixth RBI and Randy Arozarena just continues to find ways to get on base every night, as per a 178 OPS+.

Cooper Criswell recorded the first save of the season for the Mariners and it was of the long variety, as he went three shutout innings and threw five strikeouts. Dan Wilson also deserves a big shout out after managing his 200th game, with his 113-87 record representing the best winning percentage in franchise history, at .565. (Lou Piniella is second, at .542.)

Emerson Hancock shows what he’s truly capable of for the Mariners

However, the biggest story of the night surely had to be a dominant start by Emerson Hancock, as he went six scoreless innings without allowing a single hit. The Guardians only got on base twice against him courtesy of a walk and a hit by pitch, as they had no answer for his dazzling array of pitches.

For many, it was understandably a shame that Hancock did not get to return for the seventh inning to see if he could continue his hitless run. However, it was never really a consideration, with Wilson admitting he was stressed when the righty surpassed 90 pitches during the top of the sixth.

This pitch count wasn’t helped by Hancock allowing just his second man on base due to the aforementioned hit by pitch, but he was able to immediately follow this up with a double-play. When it was all said and done, the 26-year-old completed his day on 97 pitches.

When speaking postgame, Hancock appreciated the faith Wilson had in allowing him to go out there for the sixth inning and put a bow on his outstanding performance. He said:

“Getting the opportunity was huge, and when you get that opportunity, you go out there and do the best you can. Those last three outs, you want those. You want to get through the sixth and be able to execute there. Big double play ball. It wasn’t very sharp. You don’t want to start off the inning with a hit by pitch, but to be able to get out of that, get through six, I thought it was pretty good.”

Commitment to the process transfers spring training results to the Big Leagues

The signs had been there during spring training that Hancock was coming into this season in a better place, as highlighted by 21 strikeouts versus just one walk in 15.0 innings. However, doing it during spring is one thing, whereas to dominate like he did on Sunday is another matter altogether.

Hancock was asked how validating it felt to pitch so well after all the offseason work he put in, focusing on fixing certain aspects of his game. He said:

“It’s just one of those things that kind of gives you confidence in your process of how you’re doing things. … You can’t quite chase that type of result, but if you’re in there and you’re committed to every pitch, you’re doing the best that you can, throwing a lot of strikes, limiting free bases, I feel like a lot of good things can happen.”

Joining elite company with Félix Hernández in the Mariners record books

On the subject of strikes specifically, the nine Hancock threw on Sunday versus the Guardians surpassed his previous Major League best of seven. As a result he joined some fabled company as only the second ever Mariner to record 9+ strikeouts without allowing a hit, joining a certain Félix Hernández who had 12 Ks in his 2012 perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Interestingly, Hancock’s average velocity was down slightly from what he was throwing in Peoria, including seeing his four-seamer dip down from 95.5 mph to 93.5 mph. It didn’t matter though as his command was there all game, evidenced by 62 strikes and 12 whiffs on his 97 pitches.

What seemingly helped Hancock was not being as focused or as concerned as previously, on checking how hard he was throwing the ball. He said:

“In the past I’ve gotten in trouble, looking up and seeing it. And you try to do too much, you try to throw it a little too hard, so you kind of run yourself into that trap. I try to just continue to execute what I have. I know that as things warm up, as you go throughout the year, the velos will creep up. That’s not something to worry about. I just want to try to execute each pitch the best that I can.”

Dan Wilson appreciates how impressive AND important Emerson Hancock’s outing was

It was no surprise that Wilson was full of praise for Hancock and extremely proud of what the Cairo Georgia native did on the day. He said:

“What an incredible performance by Emerson Hancock. We talked about the spring he had and how he was attacking the zone with his stuff. Today was just an extension of that and it was impressive. Using his fastball, using all his stuff really. … Emerson executed to the highest degree and on a day when we needed him (with) the bullpen being a little thin. To get through that sixth inning was huge.”

Again, it is just one outing, but the contrast to Hancock’s first start last season is truly stunning, when he allowed seven hits and six earned runs and didn’t even last one inning versus the Detroit Tigers. Suddenly, he looks more like the pitcher who had enough talent and potential to convince the Mariners to select him sixth overall in the 2020 draft.

For his part, Hancock was philosophical when asked about comparing his first outing this season to the one last year versus the Tigers, truly highlighting his maturity through all the experiences and challenges he’s encountered since joining the organization. He said:

“I think that’s just part of this game. You’re going to struggle. There’s going to be ups, there’s going to be downs. But I think if you’re able to be fully committed to what you’re doing in your process of how you go about each day … I think you’re just growing, you’re constantly growing, you’re constantly evolving, you’re constantly adapting. And if you kind of have that mindset of like, yeah, this happened, but I can learn from it. And I can move on from it because I know that you can overcome these certain things, and just go out there and take the ball and do the best you can.”

If Hancock continues to do the best he can and pitch even close to what he showed on Sunday, then it’s going to give Wilson a tough decision to make with his starting rotation when Bryce Miller is finally ready to come off the injured list. And really, that’s the best kind of ‘problem’ the Mariners could ask for.

Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rogers Photography

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