Iwakuma grinds early, finds groove in gritty win

Iwakuma earns the win 1:08 8/7/15: Hisashi Iwakuma scatters six hits and strikes out six while giving up three runs over seven innings for the win SEATTLE -- Hisashi Iwakuma was around the strike zone all game in the Mariners' series opener against the Rangers, throwing 85 of his career-high 118 pitches for strikes and not walking a single hitter.

Over the first two innings of what became a 4-3 win for the Mariners, however, Texas' hitters used that accuracy to their advantage, fouling off pitch after pitch. Doubles by Shin-Soo Choo and Bobby Wilson gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead in the second inning, and a series of lengthy at-bats ballooned the 34-year-old righty's pitch count to 52 pitches…