Mariners starting pitcher prospect James Paxton improved to 2-2 for Triple-A Tacoma in his last start Friday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk in five innings. He managed a season-high nine strikeouts.
Paxton has a 5.19 ERA and .275 opponents' batting average through six starts. He's been much better lately, however, posting a 2.81 ERA in his last two starts. He also has 14 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings in that span. Paxton has struck out 31 batters and issued 13 walks in 26 innings. Paxton is considered the Mariners' fifth-best prospect by MLB.com.