The Seattle Mariners picked up their first win of the 2015 season thanks to a dominating performance by starting pitcher Felix Hernandez and an offensive explosion from right fielder Seth Smith. Seattle’s 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim started off their season on the right foot. But the biggest news of the day was that baseball is back.

Felix Hernandez pitched seven innings and struck out 10 while allowing two hits. (Courtesy of KOIN 6)

Despite the fact that the Mariners had controlled the game for the majority of the day, the Angels still could have tied the game up when Mike Trout faced Carson Smith. Trout, who struck out three times and hit one home run, was baffled by the heat Smith was tossing and it lead to a strikeout and the preservation of the Mariners’ lead. Closer Fernando Rodney came in and shut down the Angels in the top of the ninth to put away the M’s first win of the year.

The most important performance of the day was Seth Smith’s impressive performance in the batters box. He hit two doubles — the first of which was into right center field against the shift — and a triple that tied the game up at one run a piece. Smith’s second double was crushed into the gap in left center field and bounced over the fence and into the pen. His triple also increased the Mariners lead to three.

Seattle played the role of the well constructed playoff contenders that they were expected to be during the off-season. The offense was able to overcome its 3-5 hitters (Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, and Kyle Seager) going 1-12 to score four runs and pick up a comfortable victory over one of the team’s that is expected to contend for the AL West title.

There was a lot to like in yesterday’s game, and there is going to be a lot to like throughout the season. But there is also going to be a lot to dislike throughout it as well; players will go through slumps, pitchers will have struggle with their command during games and at bats, managers will have brain farts, and TOOTBLAN will make appearances throughout the year.

But it’s time to be excited because baseball is back.

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