Felix Hernandez Proving Himself Worthy

Felix Hernandez struck out 12 over eight innings as Seattle shut out Oakland 4-0 on Opening Day. Hernandez, 20, only allowed 3 hits. Hernandez had something to prove after a disappointing 2006 going 12-14 with a 4.52 ERA and said he worked on it all spring. "I was excited," Hernandez said, laughing. "In the off season, I worked for this," with a diet of primarily rice, along with daily sprints and weight training in his native Venezuela. Coaches were impressed by his control and command over the defending AL West Champions. Hernandez threw first-pitch strikes to 21 of the 29 batters he faced and kept his pitch count somewhat low.