SEATTLE -- Felix Hernandez is likely entering the most important offseason of his career.Hernandez is confident that King Felix can return in Seattle. But its going to require changes and work in the offseason.The Mariners know it, and from the sounds of it, so does Hernandez.We certainly need him at the top of the rotation. We need him in the rotation, preferably at the top, because he has history of doing that, Seattle manager Scott Servais said. But hes kind of at that point of the career where hes going to need to make a few adjustments to get the results that he wants.Hernandez pitched three innings on Sunday, giving up all three runs as the Oakland Athletics closed out the year with a 3-2 win over the Mariners.The short stint from Hernandez (11-8) was a combination of how he looked on the mound and the emotional toll from Saturdays loss that eliminated Seattle from playoff contention.The Mariners appeared drained after seeing their postseason hopes dashed in that extra-innings loss to the As. Hernandez (11-8) was lifted after the third inning and Guillermo Heredias two-run double in the fifth amounted to all of Seattles offense and the only real threat against Oakland starter Sean Manaea.Hernandez said he nearly left Saturday nights loss early to get prepared for Sundays finale but couldnt pull himself away from Seattles comeback effort that fell short. He was the last one to leave the dugout after watching Seattles postseason hopes crumble for another year.He wasnt the only one feeling the emotional letdown.Last night and the run that weve been on took a lot out of everybody physically and emotionally, Servais said.Hernandez closed out of the most inconsistent season of his career with a brief appearance. He was solid early in the season, but a strained calf muscle that landed him on the disabled list for nearly two months derailed finding a groove. He also fought mechanical issues and finished with a 3.82 ERA, his highest since 2007 when he was 21 and in his second full season.Hernandez lost his final three decisions of the season.I was disappointed for sure. Im the guy that always likes to throw 200 innings and pitch the most games that I can and get the most strikeouts that I can, Hernandez said. It happens. I just have to forget about this and get ready for next year.Hernandez said he intends on playing in the World Baseball Classic for Venezuela and may pick up a game or two of winter ball to help get ready for the year.Im going to go out there and show everybody that dont believe in me that Im going to be King Felix, Hernandez said.Stephen Vogt hit his 14th home run in the first inning on the only pitch that he saw from Hernandez, driving it just beyond the left-field wall. Vogt was lifted for a pinch-hitter in his next at-bat. Marcus Semien and Eric Pinder added RBI singles as Oakland made the three early runs stand up.NEAR MISSThe Mariners were in contention for the second wild card in the American League thanks to a 16-6 stretch. But hopes of playoff baseball returning to the Pacific Northwest for the first time in 15 years ended when Seattle lost 9-8 in 10 innings on Saturday.It was the second time in three years the Mariners went into the final weekend with a shot at the postseason only to fall just short.Seattle made a 10-game improvement from 2015 in Scott Servais first year as a manager at any level of baseball. Seattle was buoyed by huge years from Nelson Cruz, Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager, who combined to hit 112 home runs and drive in 307 runs in the middle of the order.FINAL IMPRESSIONManaea (7-9) threw seven innings, allowing five hits and striking out five. Since coming off the disabled list in mid-September, Manaea allowed three runs in 24 innings, striking out 20 and allowing 15 hits.Oakland finished at 69-93, a one-game improvement over a year ago.UP NEXTAthletics: Oakland opens the 2017 season on April 3 at home against the Los Angeles Angels.Mariners: Seattle opens the 2017 season on April 3 at Houston. Luka Doncic Mavericks Jersey .875,000, avoiding arbitration. Clippards deal Monday means all eight Nationals players who filed for arbitration wound up settling before a hearing. Jalen Brunson Mavericks Jersey . - NASCAR announced a 33-race schedule for the 2014 Nationwide Series with virtually no changes from this years slate. http://www.mavericksteamofficial.info/jason-kidd-mavericks-jersey/ . Rousey will put her perfect 8-0 record and hardware on the line against another undefeated fighter, 7-0 Sara McMann in the main event of UFC 170, which will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Nevada on February 22nd. Dirk Nowitzki Mavericks Jersey . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. Dirk Nowitzki Jersey . Miller finished in two minutes, 6.09 seconds, one day before the first medal race on the Alpine schedule. The 36-year-old American also turned in the top time in Thursdays opening training session. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Christian Cunningham scored 29 points, including crucial free throws late, Alex Thompson added 26 points, and Samford beat Jacksonville State 81-77 on Sunday.Close throughout, it was tied at 70 with 3:28 left on a 3-pointer by Jacksonville States Erik Dunham. Samford (5-3) responded with a 3 by Thompson, Wyatt Walker made a pair from the line and Josh Sharkey (nine points) nailed a jumper to make it 77-70 with 1:21 left.Ashton Spears hit a 3 and a paair of free throws to get JSU (5-4) back to within two with 28 seconds left, but Cunningham made 4 of 4 from the line to ice it.ddddddddddddCunningham went 8 of 14 from the field, made all 13 free throw attempts and added five steals and four assists.Greg Tucker led JSU with 20 points and Malcolm Drumwright added 13 points with seven assists. ' ' '