Hernandez gives Mariners 4-0 win over Oakland A’s

SEATTLE (AP) — The best of Felix Hernandez doesn’t mean what it did in the past. He’s not going to blow away hitters with his fastball the way Hernandez did earlier in his career.

What Hernandez showed Sunday is his best at this stage of his career is still capable of being dominant.

“That was absolutely the best we have seen him all year,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said.

Hernandez rediscovered some of his past form allowing two hits over six strong innings, and Nelson Cruz hit his 17th home run of the season to give the Mariners a 4-0 win over the Oakland Athletics.

Making his fourth start since coming off the disabled list late last month, Hernandez had the best command of his pitches perhaps all season.

Hernandez struck out a season-high eight, including a stretch with four of five outs retired via the strikeout in the fourth and fifth innings. Hernandez had better separation in the speeds between his fastball in the low90s and a change up in the mid-80s and an excellent curveball.

Hernandez (4-3) allowed only a third-inning double to Matt Joyce and a two-out single to Jaycob Brugman in the fifth. Tony Zych, Mark Rzepczynski, Nick Vincent and Edwin Diaz got the final nine outs for Seattle’s eighth shutout of the season.

“From fastball to change up, everything was perfect,” Hernandez said.