Iwakuma solid, but Mariners drop game to Royals - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Courtesy Seattle Mariners

SURPRISE, Ariz. – Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma retired the first nine batters he faced, and turned in a solid 4.0-inning start, but it was not enough in a 4-2 loss against the Kansas City Royals Wednesday afternoon in Cactus League play at Surprise Stadium.

After opening spring play with a 10-4 record, the Mariners (11-7) have dropped six of their last seven games, including a current five-game losing streak.

Iwakuma retired the first nine batters he faced, before allowing a pair of runs in his final inning of work. The right-hander allowed four hits, two runs and struck out one in the longest outing by a Mariners starter this spring. Reliever Tom Wilhelmsen (0-1) recorded the loss allowing one run in his only inning of work. Left-hander Danny Hultzen (1.0 IP, 1 H) and Stephen Pryor (1.0 IP, 3 K) turned in scoreless relief efforts.

The Mariners were out-hit 9-4 by the Royals, with Kyle Seager going 2-for-4 with one RBI. Second baseman Carlos Triunfel plated the Mariners first run with a solo home run, his first of the spring.

Royals starting pitcher Ervin Santana did not factor in the decision, allowing one run and striking out seven in 4.0 innings. Right-hander Nathan Adcock (1-0) recorded the win allowing one run in 1.0 inning of work and Aaron Crow recorded his first save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. With the win the Royals improved to 14-2-1 this spring.

The Mariners (11-7) return to Cactus League play tomorrow with a home game vs. the Cincinnati Reds at 1:05 p.m. at Peoria Stadium. Left-hander Joe Saunders (1-0, 6.00) will be making his third spring appearance (2nd start) vs. Reds right-hander Homer Bailey (0-0, 1.80). There will also be a "B" game at 10 a.m. vs. the Cleveland Indians in Goodyear, with left-hander James Paxtonand right-hander Taijuan Walker expected to pitch multiple innings.