Mariners’ Hernandez strikes out 12, beats A’s

Felix Hernandez might not be back to being a standout after only one outing, but he made quite a first impression.

Hernandez, the 20-year-old Venezuelan who has lost 20 pounds since a subpar 2006 season, thoroughly dominated the defending American League West-champion Oakland Athletics in a 4-0 victory Monday.

The major leagues’ youngest opening-day pitcher in 22 years gave up three hits and struck out a career-high 12 in eight innings.

Hernandez tamed the same team that won 17 of 19 games last season against Seattle, helping send the Mariners to the bottom of the division for the third consecutive year.

“That’s as good as I’ve ever seen him -- but in my mind, that’s what he’s supposed to do. He’s got that good of stuff,” Mariners outfielder Raul Ibanez said.

Only two pitchers in the last 14 years have struck out as many to begin a season. Pedro Martinez had 12 for the New York Mets in 2005, and Randy Johnson had 14 for the Mariners each in 1993 and 1996.

“I told the team, ‘Give me one run, we win,’ ” said Hernandez, the youngest opening-day pitcher since 20-year-old Dwight Gooden in 1985.

Richie Sexson exceeded that request with a three-run home run against Dan Haren in the sixth inning, after an error by shortstop Bobby Crosby.

Hernandez had a 12-14 record last season.

Around the league

New York’s Jason Giambi was a big part of a pregame ceremony at Yankee Stadium for pitcher Cory Lidle, who died in a plane crash Oct. 11 in New York.

After a video tribute to Lidle, Giambi escorted the pitcher’s wife, Melanie, and 6-year-old son, Christopher, toward the mound to throw out first pitches.

Lidle and Giambi were friends and high school teammates. Lidle’s locker at Yankee Stadium will remain unoccupied all season, and the team is wearing black armbands on its jerseys in his memory.

Bobby Murcer, a longtime Yankees player and broadcaster who is fighting brain cancer, returned to the ballpark and received a huge ovation.