PEORIA, Ariz. — Felix Hernandez and Clayton Kershaw are excited for the end of spring training.
The two aces each allowed three runs in their final starts in Arizona this March, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-7 Wednesday.
Hernandez, facing a lineup of mostly minor leaguers with a couple of Dodgers still competing for a roster spot, gave up nine hits in six innings. He struck out three and walked one, ending camp with a 2.65 ERA over four appearances.
“It was a long spring training. I just want to get out of here and just go on opening day,” Hernandez said. “I feel strong, that’s the bottom line.”
Kershaw yielded five hits with two strikeouts. He threw a hanging slider to Michael Morse, who hit a two-run home run in the first. It was Morse’s eighth home of spring training.
“Other than the pitch to Morse, my curveball wasn’t very good, but if I could have that pitch back to Morse, it would be a better day,” Kershaw said. “Feel good, excited for the season to start, now it’s time to go.”
Hernandez allowed a run in the second inning on three hits, but worked out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the third. He gave up two runs on a two-out double by Dodgers reliever Ted Lilly in the sixth, then exchanged words with home plate umpire Seth Buckminster about his strike zone.
That brought manager Eric Wedge out of the dugout to argue, and Wedge was ejected. He jogged back to the Mariners clubhouse to a standing ovation.
“That’s my first spring training toss,” Wedge said. “There was some back and forth between him (the umpire) and Felix. I’m just not going to let that happen.”
Jesus Montero hit a two-out single in the third to drive in another run off Kershaw, one of Montero’s two hits. Kendrys Morales, Dustin Ackley and Robert Andino also each had two hits for the Mariners, who scored six runs in the sixth inning.
Lilly, who went 5-1 in eight starts for the Dodgers last season, was roughed up for seven runs on six hits in 2 1-3 innings. He walked three.
NOTES: Kerhsaw was asked about contract extension negotiations, as he is eligible for salary arbitration after this season. He said he didn’t want to discuss the matter, other than to say he is excited he has a contract to pitch in 2013. . Dodgers star Matt Kemp will be featured on an episode of “Sesame Street” Thursday on PBS . The Dodgers play a split squad game Thursday at Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim. LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu starts against the Angels . The Mariners optioned RHP Erasmo Ramirez to Triple-A Tacoma and assigned RHP Jeremy Bonderman to minor league camp before Wednesday’s game, meaning 22-year-old RHP Brandon Mauer won a spot in the major league starting rotation along with RHP Blake Beavan. Mauer led the Cactus League with a 0.90 ERA through Wednesday and will pitch the fourth game of the regular season in Oakland next Thursday. “He came in here, he took it,” Wedge said of Mauer. “Showed some presence out there.” . The Mariners played their spring training home finale Wednesday and after a game in Mesa, Ariz., against the Cubs on Thursday, play the Colorado Rockies on Saturday in Salt Lake City.
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