Rookie pitcher sharp in Mariners win

PHOENIX – Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez was fortunate to get through his first batter of spring training.

Hernandez, the 2010 A.L. Cy Young Award winner, shook off a line drive by A’s leadoff hitter David DeJesus that just missed hitting him in the head.

He stayed in the game and struck out three in 2 2/3 innings of his spring debut and the Seattle Mariners defeated the Oakland Athletics 6-3 on Monday.

Hernandez allowed a run and five hits with three strikeouts and a walk.

Chris Gimenez drove in two runs and Ichiro Suzuki, Jack Wilson and Brendan Ryan each had an RBI for the Mariners.

Right-hander Michael Pineda, a prized rookie who’s a strong candidate for the Seattle starting rotation, pitched two scoreless innings with two walks and a strikeout. He threw 40 pitches, 23 for strikes.

“It’s a little difficult (pitching after Hernandez) because he’s nasty,” Pineda said. “I’m working on the mound. I threw the ball inside, outside. It’s OK.”