First, the facts: 22-year-old Michael Pineda pitched his first major league game tonight in Texas. He started, threw 6 innings, allowed 3 runs (all earned), and 5 hits. He struck out 4 and walked 1. He threw 85 pitches, about 60 percent fastballs, 30 percent sliders, and 10 percent change ups.

Now, the impressions. Michael Pineda dominated Texas for five innings tonight, firing 94-97 mph fastballs past what’s maybe the best lineup in the major leagues. He would’ve held the Rangers hitless his first time through the lineup had his centerfielder not misjudged a fly ball. He spotted his fastball well, and had enough confidence in his slider to throw it on full counts. He absolutely clowned 2010 MVP Josh Hamilton on a change up in the first inning. Michael Pineda’s change up is his third-best pitch, and he struck out last year’s MVP on it. Michael Pineda’s future is bright.

I watched the game at the Comet Tavern, the generations-old bar on Capitol Hill. A small cluster of us were bellied up to the bar for the first pitch at 5:05, chatting about Pineda. Seventy years ago, the same bar probably heard a similar conversation about Franklin High star Fred Hutchinson, who debuted with the Tacoma Rainiers at age 18 in 1938. Forty years ago, flies on the wall would’ve heard fellas assessing the chances of Seattle Pilots opening day starter Marty Pattin. Five years ago, the talk would’ve been about Felix Hernandez, the last Mariner pitcher anyone gathered to watch.

“I hope his nickname doesn’t become piñata,” joked one barfly. Might could if Pineda faces only lefties, if I may return to serious baseball analysis. After an encouraging start against lefty Hamilton in the 1st inning, Pineda allowed an RBI triple to lefty Mitch Moreland in the 2nd (the aforementioned misplay, but it was hit to the deepest part of center field), a double to Moreland in the 5th, and an RBI double to Josh Hamilton in the 6th.

What became clear is that Pineda does not yet have the variety of pitches to defeat quality major league hitters. Good to great hitters will be able to sit on Pineda’s fastball and hit it hard. But most major leaguers won’t. So Pineda should be an effective fifth starter. If he develops his secondary pitches–that is, gets to the point where he can reliably throw them for strikes–he can be the M’s second ace.

Interesting to compare Pineda’s first start with Felix Hernandez’ six years ago. Like Pineda, Hernandez pitched well enough to win, but was sabotaged by a substandard offense. The Mariners had a small rally going in the 7th inning–down one run, bases loaded with one out–when “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” came on the Comet iPod queue. We didn’t get what we wanted: Chone Figgins blooped softly to short and Milton Bradley lined out. This left Pineda in line for the loss–the game’s outcome at time of posting was still in doubt.

19-year-old Felix Hernandez threw 81 pitches in his major league debut. He started, threw 5 innings, allowed 2 runs (1 earned), and 3 hits. He struck out 4 and walked 2. He threw 81 pitches. Of course, you know the rest of the story–so far. Can’t wait to watch Pineda write his.

UPDATE: We lost.