Iwakuma Pitches Mariners to Win Over Astros

Hisashi Iwakuma allowed an unearned run in seven innings and the Seattle Mariners beat Houston 3-2 on Monday night, sending the Astros to their fifth straight defeat.

Raul Ibanez hit his team-high 12th home run and Michael Morse had an RBI double for Seattle.

Iwakuma (7-1) gave up four hits, struck out eight and walked one while reducing his ERA to 1.79, second-lowest in the majors behind Boston right-hander Clay Buchholz (1.71).

Iwakuma has been particularly stingy at home. He leads the AL with a 0.92 ERA in six starts at Safeco Field, striking out 46 and walking three. In 24 career appearances there, including 16 starts, he is 9-3 with a 1.89 ERA.