Mariners Noon Number: 5

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton has allowed five earned runs this season over five starts. In addition, in four of his five starts he has not allowed a single run.

Paxton has been nothing short of amazing thus far. He’s giving up a paltry .179 average against, has struck out 39 in 32 1/3 innings and has walked just six, leading to a WHIP of 0.84.

The big lefty, 28, is really coming into his own after a season after finally establishing himself last season.

He dominated a very good hitting Tigers team on Wednesday, one day after Detroit generated 19 runs and 24 hits.

With the injury to Drew Smyly at the start of the season, and now Felix Hernandez out with shoulder inflammation, even more attention and pressure will be on Paxton to led the Mariners pitching staff.

So far, so good.