Iwakuma K's 11, Mariners Tie The Tigers for Wild Card Spot

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By AARON BRACY | Associated Press | 

Aug. 20, 2014

PHILADELPHIA (AP) The Mariners gave Hisashi Iwakuma an early lead and the pitcher took it from there.
 
Iwakuma struck out a season-high 11 batters in eight scoreless innings and Kyle Seager homered to lead the Seattle Mariners to a 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.
 
Mike Zunino was 0-for-17 before getting two hits and driving in two runs. The Mariners, who scored two runs in the first, have won 11 of their last 14.
 
''We had the lead early, which is big for me, for my pitching, because I'm all about pitching to contact,'' Iwakuma said through an interpreter.
 
Iwakuma (12-6) was masterful while allowing four hits and no walks. Since July 1, the right-hander is 7-2 with a 1.63 ERA, 65 strikeouts and four walks in 72 innings over 10 starts.
 
''He was outstanding,'' Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said. ''He commanded all of his pitches. He was in and out, up and down. Did a tremendous job for us.''
 
The Phillies, who have scored three runs or less 65 times this season, got just one batter to second base against Iwakuma. They have lost six of their last eight.
 
The Mariners needed three pitchers in the ninth to preserve the victory. The last of the trio, Fernando Rodney, came on with two outs and the tying run at the plate and struck out Cody Asche to record his 36th save in 39 opportunities.
 
''We have a strong belief in our bullpen, so I was able to watch the TV very calmly,'' Iwakuma said.
 
Asked if he was tempted to let Iwakuma come out for the ninth, McClendon said, ''No, no.''
 
The Phillies avoided their 14th shutout when Chase Utley scored on Yoervis Medina's wild pitch. Domonic Brown followed with an RBI double to pull Philadelphia within 5-2 before Medina hit Carlos Ruiz to put runners on first and second for Asche.
 
A.J. Burnett (6-14) lost his fifth straight decision and dropped to 0-6 with a 6.41 ERA in seven starts since the All-Star break. He allowed six hits with four walks and hit two batters in 7 2-3 innings.