Seattle Mariners' Felix Hernandez works against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a spring training exhibition baseball game Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
The Associated Press
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Felix Hernandez's first spring start began with a 400-foot flyout and a walk before the Seattle ace settled down to throw two hitless innings Tuesday in the Mariners' 9-3 loss to a Colorado Rockies split squad.
Back after posting an AL-best 2.14 ERA last season, the right-hander's first pitch was hit by Corey Dickerson to the wall in center. After a walk, Carlos Gonzalez grounded into a double play.
Hernandez pitched a perfect second. Half of the five-time All-Star's 18 pitches were strikes.
Wilin Rosario hit two home runs for Colorado, the first a two-run shot off Mariners rotation candidate Roenis Elias.
Gonzalez added a bloop single off Elias for his first hit in his second game back from knee surgery.
Offseason acquisition Kyle Kendrick struck out three in two scoreless innings for Colorado.
Seattle Mariners' Felix Hernandez works against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a spring training exhibition baseball game Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
The Associated Press
Colorado Rockies' Kyle Kendrick works against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning of a spring training exhibition baseball game Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
The Associated Press
Seattle Mariners' James Jones, right, pose for a photo with a fan prior to a spring training exhibition baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
The Associated Press
Seattle Mariners' Felix Hernandez, left, celebrates with Willie Bloomquist in the third inning of a spring training exhibition baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
The Associated Press
Colorado Rockies' Wilin Rosario swings while grounding out in the second inning of a spring training exhibition baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
The Associated Press