Iwakuma is Smooth Sailing

We all know that spring training doesn’t mean a whole lot. For a veteran pitcher like Iwakuma the importance is to get his work in and the results don’t mean anything however so far he is going along great in his first two outings.

Iwakuma pitched three innings giving up one hit and one walk while striking out four batters. Also he did not yield a run either. The most important thing for Iwakuma is to keep up the innings and stay healthy. He hasn’t always been healthy coming out of spring training so this is good news for the Mariners.

Though he is considered the number two starter of the Mariners in many ways he looks like a number one starter. On many teams he would be a number starter including the Mariners if they didn’t have King Felix. The Mariners ended up beating the San Francisco Giants on Friday 5-4. The Mariners had four other pitchers go besides Iwakuma. Two of them did not do so well while two did a good job. Donn Roach who entered the game as the third Mariner pitcher after Peralta gave up two runs in two innings after entering the game for Iwakuma. Roach also pitched two innings giving up just one hit and no walks or runs. Left handed reliever Dave Rollins came in for one inning following Roach and gave up just one hit and no runs. He is in the competition for the second lefty in the bullpen. There is a good possibility he could start the season in Triple A. Also Roach is expected to start in Triple A as well.

The ninth inning the Mariners were leading 5-2 when Tony Zych entered the game. He did not have a good game giving up three hits and two runs. The Giants had runners on second and third base when Zych struck out the final two batters to preserve the victory. He went to his slider since his fastball was allowing the hits. The Mariners still hope that Zych will be in the bullpen when the season begins. He likely will be pitching either the sixth or seventh inning most of the time. He might pitch the ninth inning on occasion if the closer needs a day off.

Right now like the bullpen who will be the second lefty and the three right handed relievers besides setup man Benoit and closer Cishek it is hard to know who they will be. Despite his performance Friday Zych is still a good choice of being one of the three. Also at this point it is hard to say who the right handed hitting first baseman will be. It is a tight race though Stefan Romero is having a really good spring so far and has more versatility than the other candidates. Since the season is still about three weeks before starting the spot is still up for grabs. Probably wait another week before estimating who the true leader to win the spot will be. It would be great for the Mariners if the decision is not made until just before the season begins.

Anyway the Mariners have a split squad playing two games tonight. There will be one game broadcasted on television tonight at 6 pm. So all the regular players on the Mariner’s 40 man roster should get action tonight along with some minor leaguers; right now I say over and out. Go Mariners!