Mariners’ Felix Hernandez insists he is healthy after ‘worst start’ of career

"This is the worst start of my career," Felix Hernandez said after giving up eight runs in 1/3 of an inning Friday night, seeing his ERA jump from 2.51 to 3.38 in the process.

BY SHANNON DRAYER

Jun 12, 2015, 9:59 PM Updated: Jun 13, 2015, 4:57 pm

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Felix Hernandez made no excuses after allowing eight runs in only 1/3 of an inning Friday against Houston. (AP)

(AP)

HOUSTON – The question hardly had to be asked and Felix Hernandez was quick to answer.

“This is the worst start of my career,” he said after giving up eight runs in 1/3 of an inning Friday night, seeing his ERA jump from 2.51 to 3.38 in the process.

The 1/3-inning outing matched the shortest outing of his career with the other coming April 18, 2007. In that game he gave up three runs on two hits and walked two batters before leaving with elbow inflammation that put him on the shelf for the next month. Injury was on the mind of many after Friday’s start, but Felix was quick to calm those fears.

“Yeah,” he answered when asked if he felt okay physically. “I feel way better than the last two starts.”

He had no answers as to what happened, however.

“I don’t know,” he said. “To be honest, I don’t know what happened.”

Felix went on to point out that he was up a bit with some of his pitches and that he didn’t help himself with the bad throw home that cost him runs. He called giving up the home run to Jason Castro “unreal” and insisted that the situation did not speed up on him too much. That said, it was over almost as soon as it started.

“It was a blink of the eye, it was 6-0, on 15 pitches,” he said.

Felix wasn’t helped by his defense. Jose Altuve led off the game with what looked to be a routine grounder to short but beat the throw to first. George Springer managed to get one by Logan Morrison at first and then took second as Mark Trumbo threw behind him to first. It was hardly textbook baseball, but Felix put this game on one person and no one else.

“It’s my fault,” he said. “I killed the bullpen today. It’s on me.”

While he has never had a game like this, he has had rough games before and knows there is only one thing he can do.

“I just turn the page,” he said. “Forget about this one and get ready for five days.”