Iwakuma No-Hits Orioles

If I didn’t know what to write next here concerning local sports Iwakuma certainly made it easy with his first no-hitter in the major leagues, the Mariners fifth no-hitter and second by a Japan pitcher in the major leagues.

Since coming off the disabled list Iwakuma has had his ups and downs primarily giving up home runs. Recently though he has been pitching his best this season; this game he walked three batters besides giving up no hits. Usually Iwakuma gives up no walks or maybe one in the game; however, he was sharp beyond those walks.

I have to admit that I only watched the first half of the game. Even then I didn’t realize he had given up no walks. I had an appointment for this afternoon so when I finished with it I turned on the radio, and the game had just been completed. I was pleasantly surprised by the no-hitter. Iwakuma is like Felix where he can pitch a no-hitter any time; he has pitches have a lot of good movement on them. I am sure the Orioles batters were shaking their heads the whole game. I also heard that Iwakuma only shook off Jesus Sucre signs five times during the game so they were in sink the whole time.

Iwakuma signed as a free agent with the Mariners before the 2012 season and will become a free agent again at the end of this season. His record is 41-22 with the Mariners in the three and half seasons. The Mariners had a chance to trade him in July before the trading deadline but decided against it. I expect the Japanese ownership did not want him to go anywhere else. Iwakuma has enjoyed his time in Seattle, and he spent last off-season in Seattle instead of going back to Japan. I am sure the Mariners are looking to resign him to a new contract.

The Mariners still need a veteran like Iwakuma in their starting rotation. TaiJuan Walker will be going into his second full season looking so much like an ace himself. In fact on many teams Iwakuma would be an ace himself. So the Mariners will have three high quality starters and then there is Mike Montgomery, and Elias who should round out the rotation. Also, the Mariners have James Paxton is another quality starter if he can just get over the injury bug. The Mariners may to go out and get another veteran pitcher during the off-season. Like they say you can’t have enough quality pitching. At this point they don’t have any other youngsters to step up in the organization until maybe 2017.

With the Mariners showing this season we have no idea whether Jack Z and Lloyd McClendon will be returning next season. The Mariners may look to go another direction. The Mariners starting pitching has been pretty good most of the season the bullpen is another story; we can only hope that the bullpen can turn things around. I am sure the Mariners will look to shore it up. Again congrats Iwakuma look forward to your next outing too. Go Mariners!