KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Felix Hernandez worked quickly in the rising heat. He won his fourth straight decision, Jesus Montero homered and drove in four runs to help the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals 6-1 Thursday. The temperature was 98 at the first pitch and 105 by the time the game ended. "I was not thinking about the heat," Hernandez said. "I know it was hot. I just tried to throw strikes and get quick outs. "I was not trying to pitch to contact, but just throw strikes," Hernandez said. "Its hot like 103, but I dont feel it that much. Im trying to get quick outs and get out of the inning." Hernandez (8-5) is 4-0 with a 1.37 ERA in his past seven starts since a loss to San Diego on June 12. While he leads the majors with 143 strikeouts, Hernandez struck out only three, tying his season low. He allowed one run and eight hits, throwing only 89 pitches in eight innings. Hernandez worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the eighth, striking out Alcides Escobar and retiring Billy Butler on a grounder. "He got a lot of quick outs. He was strong again today, a lot of life at end of his pitches and he was down," Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. "He really only had to work that last inning. That was big too. That game gets real close, real quick if one of those guys comes through. He really stepped up right there those last two hitters." Hernandez permitted four singles in the first two innings, but got double-play grounders in both to keep his pitch count down. The Mariners jumped on Royals rookie left-hander Will Smith (1-3) for three runs in the second with Montero leading off the inning with his ninth home run. Michael Saunders had an RBI single and Brendan Ryan added a sacrifice fly. "It was a bad pitch 1-2," Smith said. "Thats supposed to be a pitchers count." The Mariners increased the lead to 4-0 in the fifth when Ichiro Suzuki doubled and scored on Monteros single. Montero had an RBI double off the left-field railing in the seventh inning and added a sacrifice fly in the ninth to match his career high with four RBIs. Hernandezs streak of 19 2-3 scoreless innings ended in the fifth, which Eric Hosmer began with a double and scored on Chris Getzs single. Smith, just recalled from Triple-A Omaha, gave up four runs on eight hits in 6 1-3 innings, while walking two and striking out five. The Mariners won three of four against the Royals, who have lost 13 of 17 games. "I thought it was a great series overall," Wedge said. "I loved the way we played, a total team effort. You talk about a vision the way you want your team to play and how you want to go out there and play major league baseball and this is about it. This is what were looking for." NOTES: The Mariners faced a left-handed starting pitcher for the fifth straight game for the first time since July 23-28, 2009. .The Royals optioned RHP Vin Mazzaro to Triple-A Omaha. .C Jason Kendall, who has not played in nearly 23 months after having two shoulder operations, signed a minor league contract with the Royals and was assigned to their Double-A Northwest Arkansas affiliate. . RHP Erasmo Ramirez, who went on the disabled list July 1 with a mild elbow strain, threw a bullpen session Thursday and will pitch a simulated game this weekend when the Mariners are in Tampa Bay. .RHP Luke Hochevar will start Friday for the Royals in the series opener against Minnesota. RHP Nick Blackburn goes for the Twins. cheap nfl jerseys china . "The concept that the owners are trying to dismantle existing contracts that they in good faith offered, signed, and committed to is appalling, unprofessional, and disgraceful," Johnson wrote in his blog at jackjohnson3. cheap jerseys nfl . Four days after Harrington agreed to fill in for British Open champion Ernie Els, he ran off three straight birdies early on the back nine and closed with a 4-under 67 Wednesday for a one-shot win over U. http://www.comcheapjerseys.com/ . The way he sees it, theres nothing better than having the chance to pitch and help his team make the playoffs. wholesale jerseys . The three-time Stanley Cup winning goalie coach is no longer with the Leafs, departing from the organization after three middling and often turbulent seasons. nfl jerseys china . -- Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees was pepper-sprayed and arrested early Thursday after he allegedly ran from away from an off-campus party and knocked the wind out of a police officer who caught up to him.SAN DIEGO -- LaDainian Tomlinson was in the midst of saying goodbye to the NFL when his young son, Daylen, wandered across the dais and tugged on his pant leg, wanting a little attention. Tomlinson reached down and lifted him up, holding him as carefully as he used to carry the football. Joined by his family and several former teammates, Tomlinson ended his brilliant 11-year NFL career the same way he started it -- with the San Diego Chargers. Tomlinson signed a one-day contract with the Chargers on Monday and then announced his retirement. "It wasnt because I didnt want to play anymore. It was simply time to move on," Tomlinson said. Tomlinson rushed for 13,684 yards, fifth all-time, and scored 162 touchdowns, third-most ever. His 145 rushing touchdowns are second-most in history. He also passed for seven touchdowns. Just as importantly, he helped the Chargers dig out from one of their worst stretches to become a force in the AFC West. He played his first nine seasons with San Diego and the last two years with the New York Jets. Tomlinson, who turns 33 on Saturday, said he knew at the end of last season that hed probably retire. He said he was still physically capable of playing but mentioned the mental toll it takes to play at a high level. Tomlinson didnt shed any tears, as he did two years ago after being released by the Chargers. L.T. recalled the news conference in 2006 when former teammate Junior Seau announced his first retirement. "He said, Im graduating today. Ive been playing football 20-some years and so at some point it almost seems like school every year where you sacrifice so much and there is so much you put on the line, mentally and physically, with your body, everything," Tomlinson said. "So today, I take the words of Junior Seau: I feel like Im graduating. I really do, because Ive got my life ahead of me, Im healthy, Im happy with a great family and Im excited to now be a fan and watch you guys play." Seau, who committed suicide on May 2, came out of retirement a few times to play for the New England Patriots. Tomlinson said this is it for him. Tomlinson said he has special memories even though the Chargers never got to the Super Bowl during his time with them. His most memorable moment with San Diego came on Dec. 10, 2006, when he swept into the end zone late in a game against the Denver Broncos for his third touchdown of the afternoon to break Shaun Alexanders year-old record of 28 touchdowns. His linemen hoisted him onto their shoulders and carried him toward the sideline, with Tomlinson holding the ball high in his right hand and waving his left index finger, while the fans chanted "L.T.! L.T.!" and "MVP! MVP!" Tomlinson was voted NFL MVP that season, when he set league single-season records with 31 touchdowns, including 28 rushing, and 186 points. "Those were championship days, for not only myself and my teammates, but my family as well," said Tomlinson, who won two NFL rushing titles. "So Im OK with never winning a Super Bowl championship. I know weve got many memories that we can call championship days.dddddddddddd" Tomlinson was joined on the dais by wife LaTorsha, mother Loreane, son Daylen, who turns 2 next month, and 9-month-old daughter Dayah. Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates were among the several former teammates in the crowd, as were offensive linemen Nick Hardwick, Jeromey Clary and recently retired Kris Dielman. Also in attendance was Ryan Mathews, who replaced Tomlinson as the Chargers featured back in 2010. Tomlinson said of his offensive linemen, "They were my best friends." Dielman retired in March due to a concussion. "I was a part of greatness," Dielman said of Tomlinsons career. "And it was awesome to be a part of it. It was awesome to watch. I mean, I had the best seat in the house. It was a fun time." Rivers became the Chargers starter in 2006 after Drew Brees was allowed to leave as a free agent. "He carried us," Rivers said of Tomlinson. "He had such a calming effect on the huddle, on myself. When things werent going good we could always hand it to him. When I was struggling a bit during the first half of that season, it was never, Cmon, youve got to get it together. It was just like, Youre good, keep going. I tend to get excited but the game was slow for him. That part was certainly appreciated as a young player." Team President Dean Spanos said few players have had a bigger role or meant more to the team and the city than Tomlinson. Spanos recalled being told by then-general manager John Butler on the day before the 2001 draft that the Chargers had traded the No. 1 overall pick to Atlanta for a package that included the No. 5 overall pick. "I said, Great, and then asked him who he liked with the fifth pick. I clearly remember him telling me, Well, theres this great running back from TCU who could help us. "Its funny now, but I also remember asking him, Is he any good? And I remember that John said, Yeah, hes going to be something special. I wish John was here today so I could thank him for making what has probably become the most significant trade in the history of the San Diego Chargers." Butler died in 2003. Spanos said no other Chargers player will wear Tomlinsons No. 21, and that a retirement ceremony will be held sometime in the future. Tomlinson and Spanos both signed the ceremonial one-day contract. "I didnt even check how much it was for. It was worth it," Spanos quipped. "People and players like LaDainian Tomlinson dont come around very often, if at all," Jets chairman and CEO Woody Johnson said in a statement. "His humility and work ethic made it clear why he will be remembered as one of the games best players. Without question, his next stop will be the Pro Football Hall of Fame." Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum said Tomlinson "never took one day for granted when it came to any aspect of his performance. His commitment drew his teammates to him and elevated everyone that came in contact with him." ' ' '