James Paxton Just 2nd Mariners Pitcher with 2 Scoreless Starts to Begin Season

Seattle Mariners pitcher James Paxton fired seven scoreless innings against the Houston Astros on Monday, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out eight in the contest.

Paxton has now pitched 13 scoreless innings over two starts this season, becoming just the second pitcher in franchise history to start the season with two scoreless outings of at least six innings, per ESPN Stats & Info. Felix Hernandez was the first pitcher to do the same, completing the feat in 2007.

The Toronto Blue Jays selected Paxton with the 37th pick of the 2009 MLB amateur draft, but he didn't sign with the club and instead was taken by the Seattle Mariners in the fourth round of the 2010 draft. The 6'4" hurler worked his way from independent ball in 2010 up to Double-A by the end of 2011. He proceeded to start 2013 at Triple-A before making his major league debut in September of that year. He proved worthy in his small stint, posting a 1.50 ERA in four starts while going 3-0 in those opportunities.

The 28-year-old southpaw has been dominant at times in his career but has yet to pitch an entire season at the top level. He should finally receive an opportunity to do so this season, and it's easy to see why given his first two turns.

Paxton's opposed the Houston Astros in each of his first two starts, but he will get an opportunity to branch out in his next scheduled go-around Sunday against the Texas Rangers.