PEORIA, Ariz. – Seattle's top pitching prospect, Felix Hernandez, had a promising outing Monday, throwing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts in the Mariners' 4-3 loss to the San Diego Padres.

Hernandez threw strikes on 13 of his 16 pitches and fanned the first two batters he faced, setting the tone when he got Khalil Greene swinging on a curveball that broke hard despite a steady wind blowing in from left field.

"I relaxed," said Hernandez, who turns 19 on April 8. "When I threw the first pitch, I was more relaxed."

The Mariners wanted to see how the Venezuelan, who throws a 97-mph fastball, would respond after getting roughed up in his last appearance. He allowed four runs on four hits and walked four batters in a loss last week to Kansas City.

This time, he relied on fastballs and curves, working in two changeups.

"I made some adjustments. In the bullpen, I threw my pitches and I did the same in the game," Hernandez said. Asked to elaborate on the adjustments, he said: "Stay closed, not open. Don't try to overthrow."

Seattle bullpen coach Jim Slaton called it was an impressive comeback, just what team officials wanted to see.

"We were kind of glad to see him get beat up a little bit in that last game, and this is why," Slaton said. "We wanted to see how he'd respond. He came back and threw strikes. He's going to be something special. ... He doesn't have any fear."

Hernandez relieved Mariners starter Cha Seun Baek to begin the fifth inning. After getting Greene and Jesse Garcia swinging, Brian Giles grounded out at shortstop for a 1-2-3 inning.

Hernandez struck out Mark Sweeney swinging in the sixth, before Jon Knott and Ramon Hernandez both singled to center. Veteran catcher Dan Wilson helped the youngster by throwing out Knott and pinch-runner Freddy Guzman at second.

Hernandez, the organization's minor league pitcher of the year, split last season between Single-A Inland Empire and Double-A San Antonio, going a combined 14-4. He had a 2.95 ERA with 172 strikeouts.

Mariners officials have said their hope is to give him a full season at Triple-A Tacoma, but they have also acknowledged he might be ready for the big leagues sometime this year.

Hernandez said he'll pitch wherever he's assigned.

"I'll do my job. That's all," he said.