18 Hisashi Iwakuma, SP

Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma allowed a season-high five runs in six innings during a no-decision Monday at Cleveland. He allowed seven hits and three walks, while striking out six.

Iwakuma was handed a 2-0 lead before he took the mound in the bottom of the first, but he gave up the lead in the bottom of the second inning as Ryan Raburn clubbed a three-run homer and Yan Gomes added a solo home run. Seattle battled back to tie the game at 4 in the third inning, but Iwakuma allowed Cleveland to jump back out to a one-run lead in the bottom of the inning. The right-hander then settled down to toss three scoreless innings before hitting the showers.

Iwakuma's ERA jumped from 1.84 to 2.37. He had allowed a total of five earned runs in his previous three starts. Iwakuma has failed to make it six innings just once this season.

Iwakuma, who hasn't lost a decision in his last five starts, will be back on the mound Sunday against the Rangers. He is 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA against Texas this season.

Taking on the Yankees in New York Wednesday, the Mariners got out to a seven-run lead in the top of the first inning, giving starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma all the run support he needed in a 12-2 win.

Iwakuma needed just 89 pitches to complete seven innings, allowing two earned runs on eight hits while striking out four and walking none. Iwakuma moved to 5-1 after earning a win in his third straight start. He has surrendered just 12 earned runs in nine starts while posting a 1.84 ERA.

Iwakuma's next start will come Monday in Cleveland against the Indians.

Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma continued his strong start to the season Friday, as he tossed seven strong innings in a win over the Athletics.

Iwakuma allowed just two runs on four hits and no walks in the outing, while striking out nine. This was just the third time Iwakuma has allowed at least two runs in a start. He earned an easy 6-3 win, to improve his record to 4-1 on the season.

Mariners manager Eric Wedge praised Iwakuma's performance after the game.

"He repeats. He's so consistent with his delivery, his arm action, his arm slot, release point, it's tough to see what is coming out," Wedge said. "That's what you have to do. If you're going to be a solid starting pitcher up here you've got to do that."

Iwakuma has a 1.74 ERA, and he has thrown a quality start in all but one of his eight outings. He ranks first in the American League with an 0.74 WHIP and seventh with 51 strikeouts in 51 2/3 innings of work. He is second on the team in strikeouts and ERA, thanks to the presence of Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez.

"Those two have just been on another level," Seattle third baseman Kyle Seager said. "Everybody knows Felix, obviously, but (Iwakuma) he's been flying under the radar a little bit but he's been just as impressive. It's been pretty fun to play behind those two especially."

He is scheduled to make his next start Thursday, at Yankee Stadium. 

With a break in the schedule schedule upcoming Monday, the Mariners used that off day to alter their rotation for a three-game series against the Yankees, MLB.com reports. Felix Hernandez will be moved up a day and start the series opener at New York on Tuesday before being followed by Hisashi Iwakuma (Wednesday) and Aaron Harang (Thursday).