Mariners starter Emerson Hancock throws 14 strikeouts on Randy Johnson jersey retirement night
Although Hancock had quite the night against the Royals, Seattle failed to hold the lead at home.
Saturday was a day to celebrate former Seattle Mariners pitcher Randy Johnson, who became the fourth player in Mariners history to have his jersey number retired. And soon after, Seattle starter Emerson Hancock honored him by putting on a show. Hancock pitched seven innings against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, throwing a whopping 14 strikeouts in 103 pitches.
That’s the most strikeouts in one game by a pitcher this season. EMERSON HANCOCK STRIKES OUT HIS 14TH BATTER 🤯 (via @MLB ) pic. twitter.
com/dQWhB5FA9n — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 3, 2026 Hancock’s outing was quite the way to commemorate Johnson’s legacy. Besides marking a career high for Hancocok, the pitcher becomes only the fourth in Mariners history to throw 14+ strikeouts and no walks, per the team — joining, among others, Randy Johnson, who achieved the mark twice with Seattle. Johnson’s jersey was retired prior to the matchup against the Royals, with Johnson said that he was “grateful and honored” to become the second No.
51 to be retired by Seattle. The Mariners retired the jersey of Hall of Fame outfielder Ichiro last summer. “One number.