Felix Hernandez gives up eight runs in first inning in Mariners’ 10-0 loss to Astros

HOUSTON – Say we’re discussing existential philosophy. Or metaphysical possibilities. Theoretical truths. Women. Or something else most of us don’t understand. (Hand up.)

We might learn that, yes, it’s possible that things could have gone worse Friday night in the first inning for the Mariners in what turned into a 10-0 loss to the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Or maybe not.

This was a fiasco on an epic scale. Not only unprecedented but pretty much unfathomable.

Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, the long-hailed King, faced nine hitters and gave up eight runs before making the quickest non-injury departure in his 11-year career.

“It was a blink of the eye,” he said. “It was 6-0 in 16 pitches. My fault. I killed the bullpen, too. It’s on me. This is the worst start of my career.”

Hernandez said he was healthy.

“I felt way better than in the last two starts,” he said. “I don’t know what happened. Being honest, I don’t really know.”

The Astros hit two homers and took advantage of three defensive misplays in a comprehensive first-inning collapse by the Mariners at the outset of what looms as their biggest series to date.

First-place Houston entered the weekend on a seven-game losing streak. The Mariners, after winning two of three in Cleveland, saw this series as a chance to creep closer in the standings.

That’s still possible, of course, if they can win the final two games.

Friday night’s start matched the shortest outing of Hernandez’s 11-year career.

He also lasted just one-third of an inning on April 18, 2007 against Minnesota at Safeco Field, but he left that game because of a strained forearm and didn’t pitch again for about a month.

The eight earned runs also matched a career-worst for Hernandez (9-3), who also gave up eight on Aug. 28, 2013 over three innings in a 12-4 loss to Texas at Safeco Field.

A relay of five relievers worked the final 7 2/3 innings – four pitchers and backup catcher Jesus Sucre.

It’s fitting, somehow, that Sucre, who gave up one hit, worked a scoreless inning.

Hernandez’s meltdown largely masked another punchless effort by the Mariners’ attack, which scored fewer than four runs for the 15th time in 16 games.

After getting just two hits in Thursday’s 6-0 loss at Cleveland, the Mariners got only three Friday.