Mariners Game Recap: Iwakuma Sizzles Against the Giants and the M’s Win

Sep 11, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma (18) throws against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma (18) throws against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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62. Final. 4. 40. 5

Hisashi Iwakuma and the Mariners pitching staff quieted the Giant offense and the Mariners won their third game in a row.

Seattle Mariner fans were treated to a great radio broadcast on ESPN 710 by Rick Rizz and former Mariners first baseman and Brian Holman’s perfect game killer, Ken Phelps as the Mariners beat the Giants 5-4.  There was no doubt which team was going to win for 8 innings Friday afternoon as the Seattle Mariners (6-4) pitchers kept the San Francisco Giants (5-6) fairly quiet most of the afternoon and the Mariners never relinquished the lead.  Hisashi Iwakuma (2-0, 0.00 ERA) was credited the win for Seattle, and Jeff Samardzija (0-2, 5.00 ERA) took the loss for the Giants. Tony Zych (7.36 ERA) struggled to shut the door in the 9th but was able to earn his first save of the spring.

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Hisashi Iwakuma sizzled in his second start of the spring in Scottsdale, AZ against the mighty San Francisco Giants.  In 3 innings he needed only 41 pitches as he allowed a single and a walk and struck out 4.  Iwakuma faced just 10 batters in 3 innings just one over the minimum.  It suffices to say that Iwakuma is in mid-season form.

The Seattle Mariners jumped on the board right away in the first inning against the opposing starter Jeff Samardzija,  Ketel Marte continued his hot start with a double and he scored on an RBI single by Leonys Martin.  In the third inning with two outs Kyle Seager singled and was plated with an RBI double by Franklin Gutierrez.  Stefen Romero stayed hot with an RBI single to score Gutierrez and the Mariners led 3-0.  Jeff Samardzija went on to throw 4 innings and allow 3 runs on 6 hits and one strikeout.

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With two outs in the 4th inning, Buster Posey doubled and Hunter Pence belted a Joel Peralta pitch for a home run to left field.  That brought the game to 3-2.  But Peralta settled down and that would be all the damage he would allow in his two innings pitched.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Clayton Blackburn took over for Samardzija and kept the Mariners offense quiet until the eighth inning.  After a walk to Benji Gonzalez, Chris Taylor doubled to right field for an RBI and then Tyler O’Neill singled to score Taylor.   The Mariners would lead 5-2 to seemingly put the game out of reach.

Donn Roach and David Rollins each had good outings in their relief work for the Mariners only allowing one hit each.  Roach pitched the 6th and 7th innings and Rollins the 8th inning.

Tony Zych came in to shut the door in the bottom of the 9th inning and needed every bit of his mettle to maneuver past the rallying Giants.  He gave up 3 hits and 2 runs but manager Scott Servais stayed with Zych who got out of the inning by striking out Grant Green looking for the save.

Next: Stefen Romero & His Fast Start to Spring Training

Looking ahead, the Seattle Mariners will have split squad games tomorrow evening.  One squad will host the Los Angeles Dodgers in Peoria, AZ at 6:40PM PT and another squad will travel to Goodyear, AZ to take on the Cincinnati Reds at 6:05 PM PT. Cody Reed (0-0 0.00) of the Reds will face Mike Montgomery (0-1 4.34 ERA) who is trying to work his way onto the Mariners starting staff as the 5th starter.   The game against the Reds will be televised on Root Sports and MLB.tv and broadcast on radio on 710 ESPN.