Seattle Mariners Game Recap: Mike Zunino Homers 2X

Mar 28, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher

(18) on the mound during a spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Hisashi Iwakuma pitched very well for 3 innings on Saturday, and he pitched very poorly for 2. Iwakuma allowed 4 runs on 5 hits across 5 innings today in Peoria. Kuma struck out 4 and walked 2. The veteran right-handed was uncharacteristically wild today, and his lack of command cost him dearly. He had trouble locating his pitches early in counts. Obviously, Iwakuma will look to improve on today’s performance going forward.

The Tokyo product has been one of the best pitchers in baseball since his debut in 2011, but injuries and fatigue combined to hurt his numbers in 2014. Iwakuma struggled down the stretch, posting a 7.88 ERA across his final 32.0 innings. The Mariners are banking a return to his 2013 form. The 33-year-old represented the M’s at the All Star Game in 2013 after going 14-6 with a 2.66 ERA across 33 outings.

Kuma will begin the season as the Mariners’ number 2 pitcher, and with the talented team behind him, he could easily produce a career year in 2015.

Next: Mike Zunino is Unstoppable Right Now