Felix Hernandez waited almost two weeks to get in a game for the Seattle Mariners. The Kansas City Royals went just as long without a loss.

Hernandez pitched two innings in his Cactus League debut and Stefen Romero had seven RBIs to help a Mariners split squad beat Kansas City 12-2 on Thursday, handing the Royals their first defeat this spring after 11 straight wins.

“Finally, I’m part of the Seattle Mariners,” Hernandez said. “I’m just kidding. I think it (went) better than my debut last year. I feel pretty good.”

The 2010 AL Cy Young Award winner allowed one run and two hits. He struck out two and walked none in his first start since signing a $175 million, seven-year contract last month, the richest ever for a pitcher.

With spring training elongated because of the World Baseball Classic, the Mariners held Hernandez out of their first 12 games, knowing he still has ample time to get ready for the April 1 opener at Oakland.

The right-hander, who turns 27 next month, threw 14 pitches in the first inning and 19 in the second. He struck out Alcides Escobar and Mike Moustakas to end the first.

“I look strong from the windup,” Hernandez said. “From the stretch, I was too quick, opening too much. I’ve got to work on that in my bullpen. I was trying to get my work in.”

Romero homered twice and finished 4 for 5. He hit a grand slam in the fourth inning and a three-run shot in the ninth.

Casper Wells had a three-run drive in the eighth for the Mariners, who have 10 consecutive multihomer games and top the majors with 29 home runs this spring. Wells also doubled home a run in the third.

Hisashi Iwakuma allowed one hit in three scoreless innings for the victory.

Royals starter Ervin Santana struck out four and walked none in three innings. He allowed a run and three hits, throwing 30 of 42 pitches for strikes.

Hernandez had Lorenzo Cain down 0-2 in the count before he singled to center leading off the second. Kansas City rookie David Lough doubled to right to score Cain with one out.

“The double was a fastball in the middle,” Hernandez said.

Royals utility man Elliot Johnson has seen Hernandez at his best, last Aug. 15 against Tampa Bay.

“I was part of his perfect game last year, so he’s been sharper,” Johnson said. “His (velocity) wasn’t where he normally is and probably not as much bite on the breaking ball he threw me. He was not throwing his changeup with quite as much, intensity would probably be a good word to use. It was pretty noticeable the difference today and that day in August.

“Overall he’s still awesome. He was probably holding back a little bit. They gave him $175 million for a reason.”

Moustakas, who struck out in his only at-bat against Hernandez, was impressed.

“He was moving the ball in and out,” Moustakas said. “For his first time out in the spring, he looked really good.”

— Associated Press —

USA Baseball announced Wednesday that Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer has been added to the U.S. roster for the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Hosmer, 23, recorded 14 home runs and 60 RBI in 2012, his second season in the Major Leagues.  He batted .389 for Team USA at the 2010 Pan American Games Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico.

Hosmer joins Royals left-handed reliever Tim Collins on Team USA.  The Royals now have a total of nine players on 2013 World Baseball Classic rosters:  Hosmer, Collins, left-handed pitcher Atahualpa Severino (Dominican Republic), right-handed pitchers Kelvin Herrera (Dominican Republic) and Luis Mendoza (Mexico), catcher Salvador Perez (Venezuela), infielders Irving Falu (Puerto Rico) and Miguel Tejada (Dominican Republic); and outfielder Paulo Orlando (Brazil).

— Royals Media Relations —

The Kansas City Royals announced Tuesday that infielder/outfielder Elliot Johnson was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays as the player to be named in the December 9, 2012 trade that also sent right-handed pitchers James Shields and Wade Davis to the Royals.

Johnson, who will turn 29 on March 9, was placed on the Royals 40-man roster while right-handed pitcher Felipe Paulino was placed on the 60-day Disabled List effective today as he continued his rehab from Tommy John surgery.  Paulino will be eligible for reinstatement on June 1.  Johnson is expected to join the Royals Spring Training camp in Surprise, Ariz., on Thursday, February 14.

The switch-hitter played in 123 games for the Rays in 2012, batting .242 with 10 doubles, two triples, six home runs, 33 RBI and 32 runs scored.  The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder also stole 18 bases in 24 attempts playing mostly at shortstop (68 starts), but also making starts at second base and third base and appearing in the outfield.  Johnson is a career .223 hitter in 200 Major League games, all for Tampa Bay.

— Royals Media Relations —

The Kansas City Royals announced Friday that the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with right-handed pitcher Luke Hochevar for the 2013 season, avoiding arbitration.  Consistent with club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.  The Royals have now signed all arbitration-eligible players for the 2013 season.

The 29-year-old Hochevar made 32 starts in 2012, finishing at 8-16 with a 5.73 ERA over 185.1 innings.  He set a career-high with 144 strikeouts, posting 7.0 strikeouts per nine innings.  Hochevar’s strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.36 was also a career best.  The first-overall selection in the 2006 June Free Agent Draft resides in Knoxville, Tenn., with his wife, Ashley, and daughter, Laney.

— Royals Media Relations —