Mariners' James Paxton: Nets first win of 2016

Paxton (1-2) held the Rays to three runs on seven hits over six innings Thursday for his first win of the season. He struck out five and walked two.

Despite the victory, this was Paxton's second-worst start of the four he's made this year -- he went unrewarded for sparkling outings against the Rangers and Indians that ended in defeat for Seattle. Once among the majors' most highly touted pitching prospects before injuries derailed his last two seasons, Paxton's delivered three straight quality starts while showcasing never-before-seen control (by his standards, anyhow) -- that 29:6 K:BB in 22 innings should have him flying off waiver wires.