Iwakuma Stifles Angels' Bats As Mariners Win 5-0
SEATTLE (AP) — Hisashi Iwakuma pitched eight strong innings in his second game back from the disabled list and Mark Trumbo had two RBI singles to lead the Seattle Mariners to a 5-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night.
Iwakuma (1-1) gave up three hits and two walks, and struck out six. He retired the last 13 batters he faced in his longest outing since going eight innings at Philadelphia last Aug. 19.
It was the fourth straight game with at least two hits for Trumbo. He has a seven-game overall hitting streak, and is batting 12 for 22 in that stretch.
Los Angeles starter C.J. Wilson (7-7) gave up three runs and five hits in 6 2-3 innings, walking four and striking out five. It was the ninth time in his last 10 starts that Wilson lasted at least six innings.
Iwakuma was making his second start since returning from a right lat strain. He was on the disabled list from April 21 to July 6, and in his first start back against the Tigers he allowed five runs and eight hits in five innings.
It looked like Iwakuma would struggle again at the beginning Saturday. The first three batters of the game reached base, loading the bases on a walk and two singles with no outs. Iwakuma got out of the inning without giving up a run with some defensive help, as Nelson Cruz made a diving catch on David Freese's line drive to right field to end the inning.
Iwakuma only allowed two more baserunners the rest of the way.
The Mariners scored twice in the second inning. Jesus Montero drew a bases-loaded walk with no outs and Brad Miller drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to center field.
Trumbo's run-scoring single in the third gave Seattle a 3-0 lead.
The Mariners again loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth inning, but weren't able to increase the lead. With Trumbo batting Cano tried to score on a wild pitch but was thrown out at the plate. Trumbo struck out and Montero grounded out to end the threat.
In the seventh, the Mariners picked up two runs after Wilson was replaced on RBI singles by Trumbo and Logan Morrison.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: RHP Jered Weaver (left hip) threw a simulated game Saturday. Weaver, who has been on the DL since June 21, pitched well, manager Mike Scioscia said. "We're all excited about the direction he's moving," Scioscia said. Weaver is expected to throw another simulated game Thursday.
Mariners: CF Austin Jackson was back in the lineup at leadoff after missing two games with back spasms. On Friday, Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said Jackson would have to feel "great" to play. "I believe Austin is going to be just fine," McClendon said before the game Saturday.
RECORD PITCH
The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by fan Evelyn Jones, who was celebrating her 108th birthday. According to the Mariners, she is the oldest person ever to throw out the first pitch for a major league game. After her short underhand toss to Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez, the crowd serenaded her by singing "Happy Birthday."
UP NEXT
Angels: LHP Andrew Heaney (2-0, 1.77 ERA) will make his fourth career start in the final game of the four-game series on Sunday. Heaney has never faced the Mariners, and has allowed just four earned runs in 20 1-3 innings in his previous three starts.
Mariners: RHP Taijuan Walker (7-6, 4.53) is 6-1 with a 2.32 ERA in his last eight starts, and hasn't taken a loss since June 3.
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