Seattle Mariners: Felix Hernandez struggles in 6-4 loss to Padres

The Mariners continued their Spring Training play Saturday, dropping a game to San Diego in Peoria.

Felix Hernandez took the mound for the Mariners in his first start of 2019. After a disastrous season last year which featured a 5.55 ERA and the fifth most earned runs in the majors, Felix aims for a bounce-back year in 2019. He wants no part of a bullpen role, where he was moved late in the 2018 season.

Unfortunately, Hernandez did not impress over his 1.1 innings of work, allowing 4 runs on 4 hits with a strikeout.

Seattle’s offense provided him with instant run support, however. Shed Long, our #7 ranked Mariners prospect, cranked a leadoff home run off the batter’s eye in center field.

All of Felix’s four earned runs were in the second inning, where San Diego jumped to a 4-1 lead.

Seattle would get three runs back in the fourth inning, including a 2-run single by Kristopher Negron and a throwing error by Padres catcher Francisco Mejia.

With the game in a 4-4 tie, the Padres would tack on a run in each of the fifth of sixth innings. Esteban Quiroz singled in a run, and Mariners pitcher Roenis Elias allowed a run on a wild pitch.

The offenses would die off for the rest of the afternoon, as the Padres would go on to win 6-4.

San Diego pitcher Dietrich Enns earned the save, striking out the side in the 9th to secure the Padres’ first Spring Training win.

Seattle rotated pitchers throughout the Spring Training affair, showcasing 8 pitchers in total. Mariners that saw the bump include new bullpen acquisitions Cory Gearrin and closer Hunter Strickland, who combined for 2 innings of work and just a hit.

Through three games of Spring Training play (though Thursday’s 1 1/2 inning exhibition was erased from the stat books), Shed Long has exploded for three extra base hits. Long went 2-2 with two doubles Thursday and, as noted, led today’s game off with a solo blast. Though Dee Gordon will start the season as Seattle’s starting second baseman, expect Long to see time as a Mariner this year.

The Mariners continue their Spring Training play Sunday against the Rockies in Scottsdale. First pitch is scheduled for 12:10 PT.