Not only was it Canada Day with ”The Big Maple” Authentic Christian Kirk Jersey , Canadian James Paxton on the mound for the Mariners‘ 1-0 victory over the Royals, it also was Paxton Bobblehead Day at Safeco Field.
This bobblehead included a bald eagle on his shoulder, a crazy moment that actually happened while working out in the outfield before a game this season in Minnesota. The video went viral.
Paxton allowed only two hits and struck out 11 in eight innings to lead the Mariners to their season-best seventh consecutive victory.
”Paxton enjoyed the moment,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. ”It was National Pax Day. A holiday in Canada, the bobblehead and the fans were really into it.”
Paxton (8-2) had plenty of family and friends at the game from his hometown of Ladner, British Columbia.
”It was cool to pitch on Canada Day and have the bobblehead,” Paxton said. ”It felt good today. The fastball, curveball and cutter all were working.”
Edwin Diaz struck out the side in the ninth for his 32nd save. The Mariners are 26-11 in one-run games this season and 22-0 when Diaz enters the game with a one-run lead.
”As far as being valuable to our team, he has to be the top of the list,” Servais said about Diaz. ”He isn’t just getting it done, it’s also the efficiency of how he’s getting it done. When his timing is right, he’s really tough to hit.”
Kansas City rookie Brad Keller (2-3) also was tough to hit. He allowed six hits in eight innings. The only extra-base hit he allowed was a double by Kyle Seager in the seventh inning.
”He’s doing everything you want a starting pitcher to do,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. ”Complete game. He was fantastic. He’s out there attacking with his fastball, slider, throwing strikes and really commanding his pitch count.”
It was the first complete game of Keller’s career.
”After the game a few guys came up and said congratulations Authentic Mason Cole Jersey ,” Keller said. ”I’ve never had one before and it’s pretty cool, but it’s frustrating (taking the loss). That’s tough lineup. A lot of good hitters over there. I tried to stay on the attack and not fall behind too much.”
The only run came in the second inning. Ben Gamel dropped a broken-bat single into shallow center to score Seager from second base. Seager singled to right before Ryon Healy singled to center.
That’s all Paxton needed, recording double-figure strikeouts for the seventh time this season. On his 110th pitch, his last of the game to close out the top of the eighth, his fastball was clocked at 99 mph.
”Late in the game he just dialed it up,” Servais said. ”Pax emptied the tank and let it rip. He had an overpowering fastball at the end. It’s pretty rare. There are only five to 10 guys in baseball who can do that and we’re lucky to have one of them.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: RHP Ian Kennedy, who experienced tightness on his left side during his start Friday, had his normal throwing day in the bullpen Sunday, but Kansas City manager Ned Yost did not say whether Kennedy would make his next scheduled start. Yost said RF Jorge Soler (fractured toe and placed in the 10-day DL June 17) is still on a six-weeks-or-so recovery, so it’s likely another four weeks before he would return.
Mariners: Manager Scott Servais said they will monitor RHP Felix Hernandez and his back stiffness over the next few days. Hernandez pitched five innings Saturday night and earned the victory (three runs and six hits) but struggled with back pain and wasn’t able to sit down in the dugout between innings. ”We’ll keep an eye on it,” Servais said. ”We have the off day (Monday) so he’ll get an extra-day off between starts.” … Servais said he was hopeful RHP Hisashi Iwakuma, who underwent shoulder surgery last September, would be back by now, but Iwakuma’s throwing was shut down again last week. ”He’s frustrated by that,” Servais said. ”The doctors still are optimistic he’ll get back (this season) but I don’t have any timetable for it.”
UP NEXT
Royals: RHP Jakob Junis (5-9 Authentic Chase Edmonds Jersey , 4.67) will make his 17th starts of the season Monday when the Royals return home to start a three-game series with Cleveland. Junis has allowed a major league-high 22 home runs over 96.1 innings.
Mariners: LHP Wade LeBlanc (3-0, 3.38) will make his 12th starts of the season Tuesday when Seattle starts a three-game series at home against the Angels. LeBlanc hasn’t lost a decision in his 11 starts and the Mariners are 8-3 in those games.
Dressing right for winter is a useful thing to know, whether you’re a football fan attending a tailgate party in Super Bowl host city Minneapolis, or just looking to enjoy outdoor activities in any other cold-weather destination.
The Associated Press asked Steve Schreader of Midwest Mountaineering , an outdoor gear store in Minneapolis, for advice on winter wear. Done right, he says, your winter wear should create ”a nice, warm, cozy feeling,” no matter how cold it gets.
LAYERING
Layering is the key to cold-weather dressing, and it works for ”any part of the body whether the head, feet and hands or the main core of your body,” Schreader said.
For your upper torso, begin with a long-sleeved base layer – either soft merino wool or a synthetic polyester shirt – next to your skin. The fabric should breathe and be relatively light so you don’t sweat or overheat. Schreader said he would stay away from cotton or cotton blends here.
Next Authentic Calvin Ridley Jersey , put on a mid-layer, like a fleece pullover or hoodie. Schreader mentioned the Patagonia R1 as an example. The mid-layer is ”going to be your first line of insulation,” Schreader said, providing a ”heat transfer” and preventing body heat from evaporating, ”allowing you to keep that body heat to your core.”
The top layer should be a shell that serves as a windbreaker. If the temperatures are likely to be extremely cold, you’ll want a ”big puffy jacket.” That ”big insulating layer” creates an air pocket that keeps your body heat in and serves as a ”barrier between you and the rest of the elements,” he said.
He recommends that both the mid-layer and the outer shell have hoods.
For the bottom half of your body, you may want to layer long underwear beneath canvas pants. But beware of jeans or 100 percent cotton pants, which don’t protect well against the cold and don’t dry fast if they get wet.
FEET
Start with a light pair of woolen hiking socks. Then add a mid-layer of ”thick, almost fluffy” wool socks designed for hiking, trekking or even mountaineering, Schreader said.
Boots like Merrell Moabs or the Sorel brand will then keep those feet dry and warm, he said.
”Your feet are probably the one thing that if they’re not comfortable, the rest of you is not going to be comfortable,” he said. But you also ”don’t want to overdress your feet Authentic Hayden Hurst Jersey ,” because if they sweat, ”you’re going to get clammy,” and that will feel cold.
HEAD
”Most of the extremities that get frostbitten first are on my head – my nose, my ears, my cheeks,” Schreader said.
Use the hood from your mid-layer, and add a beanie or stocking cap. A neck gaiter that can be scrunched down or pulled up can add a layer across your face.
Another headgear option: ”full fur, with the full flaps. You’ll look the kids from `A Christmas Story.”’
HANDS
Start with a lightweight liner glove, like a Polartec. Look for the touchscreen finger pad design so you can use your phone screen.
Add mittens that have liners as well as outer shells. Schreader says he recommends mittens for the main hand coverage because ”having your fingers closer together, not isolated, is going to create a better heat pocket in your hands.”
And you can always add a packet of disposable air-activated hand warmers.
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Online: Midwest Mountaineering,
