Emerson Hancock has a tough night, offense squanders opportunities, Mariners lose 5-3

Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty ImagesIt’s been a tough go over the last few starts for Emerson Hancock, although it was easy enough to handwave away: the Wrigley game, with the wind and the intense heat, followed by the nightmarish rain delay in Minnesota; these are conditions that would test any pitcher. But tonight it was pleasant, sunny and calm in Seattle in front of a home crowd of 22,351 (and several hundred dogs), hyped-up from an exhilarating win last night. But what should have been a soft landing for Hancock was anything but, as he struggled and scrapped through six grueling innings, allowing the Royals to score five runs on seven hits, including several spicily-hit balls. This is, uh, not what you want to see from your starter:

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