Hernandez, Mariners outlast A’s

The numbers on the scoreboard – and scale – are getting better for Felix Hernandez. So is his confidence.

Seattle’s slimmed-down pitcher tossed four scoreless innings against the team he is expected to open the season against April 2, and the Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 6-5 on Monday at Peoria, Ariz.

Hernandez, who reported to camp 20 pounds lighter than he was while going 12-14 with a 4.52 ERA last season, struck out one and limited the A’s to three hits and no walks.

Richie Sexson had his first two hits of the spring to lead Seattle to a 5-0 lead against starter Joe Kennedy and reliever Chad Gaudin. Sexson was 0 for 18 until an RBI single in the first inning off Kennedy. The slugger then homered in the fourth, a solo shot off Gaudin.

Gagne has first spring outing

Eric Gagne finally felt again like he did during his dominating run as the Los Angeles Dodgers closer. He pitched in a game without any pain.

Gagne faced hitters for the first time this year, throwing 11 pitches in a “B” game Monday for the Texas Rangers. The most important result for the 2003 N.L. Cy Young Award winner was how he felt.

The right-hander has had three operations (two elbow, one back) since his 2002-04 stretch with the Dodgers, when he converted a record 84 straight save chances. He was limited to 15 1/3 innings the last two seasons.

Official: Kuo tested positive

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo tested positive for stimulants before joining Taiwan’s team at the Asian Games in Doha three months ago, but either cold or pain medications were to blame, a sports official said.

Kuo said he did not take performance enhancers.

“I just play baseball. I didn’t take anything,” Kuo said.

Isringhausen to make debut

Jason Isringhausen is set to make his spring training debut Thursday, right on schedule.

The St. Louis Cardinals closer missed the World Series after hip surgery in September. He threw to hitters on a back field for the third time and by all accounts was sharp.

“He’s looked better every time out,” catcher Gary Bennett said. “He was locating everything.”

Clearing the bases

Catcher Javy Lopez, who had been competing to make Colorado’s opening-day roster, was released by the Rockies. … Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones sprained his left ankle on his first at-bat Monday and left the game.