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Iwakuma hopes to help Mariners sweep Indians

Aug 22, 2012 - 12:59 PM

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(Sports Network) - Hisashi Iwakuma goes after this third straight win on Wednesday when the Seattle Mariners go after a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Indians at Safeco Field.

Iwakuma beat the Minnesota Twins on Friday, as he allowed an unearned run and four hits in seven innings to run his record to 4-3, while lowering his ERA to 3.79.

Over his last six starts he is 3-1 with a 2.37 ERA.

"He's consistently been better throughout the course of this year. You see more velocity, you see more at the end of his pitches. He has a great deal of confidence in both that slider and that split-finger. Drops that big breaking ball in there from time to time as you saw him do that later tonight," Seattle manager Eric Wedge said after his last start. "He's pitching with a lot of confidence, but his stuff's definitely improved."

Cleveland will counter with righty Zach McAllister, who is 5-4 with a 3.64 ERA. McAllister did not get a decision on Friday in Oakland, as he surrendered four runs and eight hits in six innings of a 6-4 loss.

"Every pitcher wants to put a zero and get the guys back in and get some more runs and keep the momentum," McAllister said. "It's frustrating when you are not able to do that."

McAllister has faced the Mariners twice and is 0-1 against them with a 11.00 ERA.

Seattle got another tremendous effort from Felix Hernandez on Tuesday, as he stifled the Indians over 7 2/3 innings in a 5-1 win.

Making his first start since his perfect game, Hernandez (12-5) allowed just one run on seven hits and one walk with five strikeouts to improve to 8-0 with a 1.53 earned run average over his last 12 starts.

"That's the best game I've ever pitched here at Safeco Field," said Hernandez. "In front of these guys, the crowd is unbelievable, all yelling, 'Felix, Felix,' that's something special right there."

Jesus Montero clubbed a three-run home run, John Jaso smacked an RBI double and Eric Thames added a solo shot for the Mariners, who have won 14 of their last 15 home games and seven straight overall.

Roberto Hernandez (0-2) pitched well in his second start of the season, yielding four runs on three hits and two walks over six-plus innings to take the loss.

"He was cruising up until that seventh inning, but he gave us an opportunity," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "I like the way he's thrown the ball."

Casey Kotchman registered two hits and knocked in the lone run for the Indians, as they lost their seventh straight game and dropped to 10-28 since the All-Star break.

Cleveland has won four of seven from Seattle this season.






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