Chris Jakubauskas used to sell shoes here in Southern California, but Wednesday night he blanked his hometown team.
He limited his hometown Angels to two hits in six innings in Seattle's 1-0 victory over Los Angeles on Wednesday night.
Ken Griffey Jr. had two hits, including an RBI single after Ichiro Suzuki doubled leading off the first against Ervin Santana, who was otherwise strong — just not as brilliant as Jakubauskas.
Seattle won for just the fourth time in 16 games, and for the first time in eight games against an AL West rival. The Angels lost for the fourth time in six games on their trip within the division.
Los Angeles is 4-5 against the Mariners this season. The Angels were 14-5 against Seattle in 2008 while winning the division again.
The 39-year-old Griffey, the active leader in home runs (615) and hits (2,704), has answered an 0-for-12 skid that had his average just above .200 with five hits in his last three games.
He provided enough offense for Jakubauskas (3-4) and relievers Miguel Batista, Mark Lowe and David Aardsma, who held Los Angeles to a season-low three hits. Aardsma walked one in the ninth but retired Gary Matthews Jr. for his fifth save in five chances, and second save since he took the closer's job from Brandon Morrow last week.
Jakubauskas is a 29-year-old former Independent League nomad and college outfielder who made $700 a month and sold women's shoes at a Nordstrom department store in Southern California a few winters ago for extra cash. Wednesday, the fill-in for injured starter Ryan Rowland-Smith cashed in against the team he watched growing up in Upland, Calif.
"I've heard his story," Angels star Torii Hunter said. "He's come a long way. He's making a statement."
He gave Jakubauskas his only trouble, with a double in the fourth. Two walks then loaded the bases with two outs. But Jakubauskas got Howie Kendrick to fly out to escape that.
He walked two and struck out one in his first scoreless start since April 27, 2008, when he was with Double-A West Tennessee.
Santana (0-1), in his second start after elbow issues sidelined him for the season's first six weeks, showed the dominance that made him an All-Star in 2008. He threw 15 consecutive strikes into the fourth inning.
"My location was way better than the last time," he said.
