Hernandez shows improvement as M’s knock off Rangers

PEORIA, Ariz. – The Felix Hernandez the Mariners have already grown accustomed to returned from a brief hiatus.

The 19-year-old phenom came back from a rocky spring training debut to throw three shutout innings in Seattle’s 4-2 win over the Rangers Sunday.

Hernandez allowed Milwaukee three runs – including a two-run home run – in his spring debut last week. But on Sunday, he struck out three Rangers and often fooled others with changeups and breaking pitches in the dirt instead of his usual, 95 mph-plus fastballs. Hernandez threw 44 pitches, allowing a Kevin Mench double and two Rangers singles.

He also benefited from center fielder Jeremy Reed. Reed, continuing to fulfill the Mariners’ expectations as a defensive whiz, ran far to his right to catch Brad Wilkerson’s sinking line drive in the third inning and save a run – or more.

“He saved my life,” Hernandez joked.

He added that he had a better sinking fastball and focused between starts on pitching more to the corners of home plate.

“I felt great,” Hernandez said.

Manager Mike Hargrove was generally pleased with Hernandez being “a lot more crisp.” But Hargrove said Hernandez was sloppy with some curve balls – including the one Wilkerson smacked on Reed’s great play.

“Hopefully, Felix understands if he throws that pitch, he can’t just spin it up there,” Hargrove said.

Texas starter Josh Rupe pitched 3 1/3 innings and allowed four hits, including Reed’s home run in the bottom of the first.

Mench was 2 for 3 to raise his spring average to .500 in six games.

Seattle left fielder Raul Ibanez was 3 for 3 with his third home run of the month, off Texas’ Juan Dominguez leading off the sixth inning. Roberto Petagine, subbing for Richie Sexson at first base as a precaution for Sexson’s tight right quadriceps muscle, followed Ibanez’s homer with his first home run of the spring on the next pitch.

Ibanez is batting .526 this month. Petagine, a non-roster invitee, is hitting .529.

Rangers manager Buck Showalter was more concerned with his American League West rivals having relievers J.J. Putz and Rafael Soriano pitch scoreless eighth and ninth innings, respectively. Each had a strikeout, and Soriano retired the Rangers in order to end the game.

“It’s not good news to see Soriano and Putz healthy and throwing well,” Showalter said.