Hernandez delivers win over A’s
OAKLAND, Calif. — Felix Hernandez struck out eight on opening day in his first start since signing a $175 million, seven-year contract in February, and the Mariners beat the reigning AL West champion Oakland Athletics 2-0 on Monday night.
King Felix surrendered one walk while pitching 7 2-3 scoreless innings. He didn’t allow a hit until John Jaso doubled to left-center with one out in the fourth, only a couple of hours after the pitcher gifted his former backstop with a Rolex watch for catching his perfect game in August against the Rays.
Hernandez (1-0) outdueled Brett Anderson while making his sixth career opening day start and fifth in a row, retiring the first 10 batters of the game in order.
Franklin Gutierrez hit a two-run single in the fifth to break a scoreless tie, and it held up for Hernandez.