Mariners' Emerson Hancock earns massive comparison to Diamondbacks legend after 14-K masterclass
Emerson Hancock was the real Randy Johnson tonight.
Mariners' Emerson Hancock earns massive comparison to Diamondbacks legend after 14-K masterclass originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Seattle Mariners ace Emerson Hancock channeled his inner Randy Johnson in Saturday's 3-2 loss against the Kansas City Royals .
In seven frames for six hits and one earned run, the right-hander struck out a career-high 14 hitters while giving up zero walks. Despite the incredible effort from the mound, the Mariners couldn't give Hancock a victory as the Royals tied the game in the ninth and scored the winning run in extra innings. After the game, Royals ace Seth Lugo, who threw six innings for two earned runs and six strikeouts, shared massive praise for Hancock.
Lugo appreciated Hancock's performance by comparing him to Arizona Diamondbacks pitching legend Johnson: "After the fifth inning, I asked the umpire if they'd brought Randy Johnson back out of retirement. " Seth Lugo on Emerson Hancock's 14 K performance, via @DKramer_ : "After the fifth inning, I asked the umpire if they'd brought Randy Johnson back out of retirement. " https://t.
co/cHtvyYkM6n ā Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) May 3, 2026 More: Mariners' Hancock poised to break through in 2026 Emerson Hancock delivered on Randy Johnson's jersey retirement night The comparison didn't come out of nowhere. Emerson Hancock's special performance came on Randy Johnson's jersey retirement night. Hancock paid the best tribute to the pitching legend with his 14-K masterclass as Johnson became the fourth player in Mariners history to have his jersey retired.