Mariners ace Hernandez pitches 3 innings in tuneup

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) Seattle ace Felix Hernandez pitched three innings in the Mariners' 7-5 loss to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday in his final start before opening day.

Hernandez allowed four runs - all in the first inning - and four hits. He struck out one and walked one.

''First inning I was up, everything was up. It was good after that. I just tried to throw down and get some quick outs,'' Hernandez said. ''I'm not looking at any results. I'm just looking to be healthy, and I'm healthy.''

Tyson Ross, who is scheduled to start for San Diego on opening day on Monday against the Dodgers, also pitched three innings and was charged with one run and two hits. He also drove in a run with a fourth-inning single.

''Just mixing fastball, slider and locations and just kind of keeping hitters off balance,'' Ross said. ''Getting three outs and getting back to the dugout.''

Derek Norris doubled in two runs for the Padres and Matt Kemp had two hits, including an RBI double. Mid-game sub Adam Rosales hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning.

Brandon Morrow struck out six in three innings of relief and allowed a run on three hits.

WALKING OVER TO A NEW TEAM

New Mariners reliever Nick Vincent didn't have far to go when he was traded from the Padres to Seattle before the game. The teams share the Peoria Sports Complex and both have spring training facilities on the property, so Vincent just walked a few hundred feet from one clubhouse to the other. The 29-year-old righty, acquired for a player to be named later, has a 2.63 ERA in 161 career major league games. He spent all or parts of the past four seasons with the Padres.

''It was my eighth year over there (in the organization). I'm not going to stay with them the whole time, I knew that. I think I was going to get traded sooner or later,'' Vincent said. ''Seattle, I've heard nothing but great things about it. So I'm just excited to come here and help the team win.''

Vincent last pitched in a game on Monday and pronounced himself ''game ready.'' The Mariners optioned right-handed reliever Mayckol Guaipe to Triple-A Tacoma before the game, clearing room for Vincent to be added to the 25-man opening day roster.

''He gives us a nice upgrade and additional depth in the bullpen I think we were looking for,'' Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said.

BULLPEN SET

Dipoto said the Mariners' opening day bullpen will consist of right-handers Joel Peralta, Tony Zych, Joaquin Benoit, Vincent and closer Steve Cishek and left-handers Vidal Nuno and Mike Montgomery.

''I feel like we have five solid major league relievers from the right side, and then we have Nuno and Montgomery, that gives us two lefties, one with power and one with unique matchup ability versus the lefties (hitters),'' Dipoto said.

STARTING TIME

Padres: Ross was named opening day starter early in camp, and he's excited to get going. ''It's opening day, opening series. First time on the mound with the lights on, it's always a lot of fun,'' he said. ''It's something I enjoy every year and it's going to be great to be out there for the first of 162 and hopefully more than that. ''

Mariners: When Seattle faces the Texas Rangers on Monday, it will be Hernandez's eighth straight opening day start and the ninth of his career. He said he discounts any results from spring training and will turn up the concentration in Texas, where the adrenalin will flow. ''It means a lot. It's a new season. A lot of eyes on me, so it's fun,'' he said.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Padres: INF Alexi Amarista (shoulder injury) could start the season on the disabled list, which may open the door for Jemile Weeks, who is batting .327, to make the opening day roster.

UP NEXT

Padres: The team departed for El Paso, Texas, right after Wednesday's game and will play their Triple-A affiliate, the Chihuahuas, on Thursday night before returning to California. Robbie Erlin is scheduled to start.

Mariners: The team gets a day off on Thursday, but No. 2 starter Hisashi Iwakuma doesn't. He'll throw in a minor league game. On Friday, Seattle plays its second-to-last spring training game against the Colorado Rockies. Wade Miley is the scheduled starter against Christian Bergman.