e as Chicagos Chris Ritter jumped into the elbow of the TFC striker. There w

CLEVELAND -- Hisashi Iwakuma kept his road record spotless with one minor blemish. Iwakuma pitched seven strong innings to stay unbeaten in road games since last July, leading the Seattle Mariners to a 5-2 win over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night. Iwakuma (9-5) improved to 9-0 with a 2.17 ERA in his last 14 road starts, the second-longest such streak in club history. The Japanese right-hander is 5-0 outside Seattle this season. "I didnt even know that," Iwakuma, speaking through a translator, said of his road perfection. "I dont what the secret is." Dustin Ackley hit a two-run double in Seattles four-run fourth against Trevor Bauer (4-6). Mike Zunino homered in the fifth for the Mariners, one of six teams scrapping for the ALs second wild-card spot. The Indians are 5-7 since the All-Star break and are trying to decide whether to be active before Thursdays trade deadline. Once again, Iwakuma didnt do anything to hurt himself. He allowed two runs and six hits, and only walked one -- his first free pass in six starts. The right-hander has walked just nine all season. "Im a little disappointed he walked a batter," joked Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon. "Hes pretty good. He did a nice job for us." Iwakuma went 35 2-3 innings and 139 consecutive batters without giving up a walk before he put Michael Brantley on with four consecutive balls in the first. McClendon laughed about Iwakumas stunning loss of control. "He doesnt mess around," McClendon cracked. "He gets it done and gets it out of the way." Fernando Rodney pitched the ninth for his league-leading 29th save, and 18th in 19 tries. The Mariners, who came in with the fewest runs scored in the AL, took a 4-0 lead in the fourth when they hit three doubles off Bauer. Kyle Seager opened the inning by bunting against the shift, pushing a ball down the third-base line. Bauer hit Zunino, and one out later, Corey Hart hit an RBI double. With two outs, Ackley ripped his double off the right-field wall to make it 3-0. Chris Taylor added another RBI double just over the glove of leaping left fielder Chris Dickerson. Zuninos 16th homer gave the Mariners a 5-0 lead in the fifth and chased Bauer, who had gone at least six innings in each of his previous four starts. Iwakuma dominated the Indians through four, but Cleveland got two runs in the fifth on an RBI single by Yan Gomes and Jason Kipnis run-scoring groundout. RUNNING AMOK The Mariners, who hadnt scored five runs in their past six games, improved to 39-10 when scoring four or more in a game. "Thats a good position for us," Ackley said. "When we get ahead, it gives us a better feeling and puts the pressure on them." BUSTED Seattle snapped a six-game losing streak in Cleveland. The Mariners last win at Progressive Field was on Sept. 19, 2011. NICE GRAB Seattle centre fielder James Jones ran down a drive by Nick Swisher and made a leaping catch before crashing into the padded wall in the seventh. TRAINERS ROOM Mariners: Left-hander James Paxton (strained back muscle) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, and as long as there are no setbacks, he could start Saturday in Baltimore. He hasnt pitched in the majors since April 8. Indians: As centre fielder Michael Bourn rehabs his surgically repaired left hamstring, manager Terry Francona is trying to let the speedster recover at his own pace. Bourn has been on the disabled list since July 6, and its not yet known when he will go on a rehab assignment or be activated. Bourn took batting practice before Tuesdays game. ON DECK: Two of the ALs top pitchers match up in the second game of the series when Seattles Felix Hernandez takes on Clevelands Corey Kluber. Hernandez (11-2) has allowed two runs or less and pitched at least seven innings in 13 consecutive starts, an AL record. King Felix, though, is just 7-5 in his career against the Indians, with all five losses coming in Cleveland. Kluber (10-6) carried a perfect game into the seventh inning of his previous start. Marc-Edouard Vlasic Jersey .C. -- The Bobcats announced theyve signed centre Justin Hamilton to a 10-day contract. Brent Burns Sharks Jersey . Bjoerndalen, who had failed to win any major race for two years before Sochi, writes in a Facebook entry that he is "full of energy and inspiration" after winning the 10-kilometre sprint and mixed relay at last months Olympics. http://www.officialsharksnhlshop.com/aaron-dell-jersey/ . The Miami Heat star tops the leagues global list of top-selling jerseys for the 2012-13 season, edging Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and James Heat teammate Dwyane Wade for the No. Logan Couture Jersey . Anderson shook off some unusually poor shooting and hit two clutch 3-pointers in overtime that carried the New Orleans Pelicans to a 111-106 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. Kevin Labanc Jersey . A top pitching prospect, one who the ball club is pinning some of its future hopes, takes the spot of a veteran who once was viewed as a future ace but who, to this point, hasnt realized his potential and may never.Seven games to go. Seven games to fight for their playoff lives. Nothing has come easy for Toronto FC, nor should it have been expected from the beginning. The only thing big money, flashy moves guarantees are a more expensive payroll. And theres nothing worse or more damning than expensive mistakes. Its time for Toronto FC to produce. Crunchtime has arrived. There is no doubt about it. And what better way to kick-off a crucial run of matches than by welcoming a wounded, lifeless opponent to BMO Field. Toronto FC (9-11-7), winless in their last six, begin a season-defining run of games against one of the worst teams in Major League Soccer, Chivas USA (6-16-6), in a bizarre Sunday 3pm kick-off. Sitting three points back of a playoff spot, seventh place in the Eastern Conference is hardly ideal. A game in hand on the competition and a soft opponent ahead makes the forecast much brighter than the dark clouds many are casting. A first managerial victory for head coach Greg Vanney is a virtual must. Anything short of three points this weekend would suggest turbulent times ahead. Simply playing out the stretch was never in the script nor should it be. Make no bone about it, Sunday is make or break for Toronto FC. Here are five thoughts ahead of this weekends match-up. 1) Central Issues a€“ A common denominator determining team success on the season has been superior midfield play that has created positive team results. When the middle of the park has played well, the team has picked up results. When it has struggled, the team has come apart at the seams. Superior cohesion and tactical direction is essential and Vanney has to get it right Sunday. Collen Warner has been ruled out (hamstring) which means a different look. Playing Michael Bradley alongside a player who can compliment his skill-set is paramount. With Bradley showing preference to drop back and facilitate from a deeper position (which is a necessity), Warner hasnt been the best match, preferring to play a similar role. A midfield diamond seems best for this group, with Bradley taking up a holding position. Jonathan Osorio (hamstring) returning from injury is an ideal partner, playing in an advanced role. The Canadian International has struggled with consistency playing outside left. Hes an inside player. All of his traits dictate as such. Paired with a stable Bradley, TFC would have two players in the middle comfortable on the ball with requisite athleticism. Balance would be achieved. The wing players then can play narrower, opening up space down the wings for the outside-backs to get forward, as Vanney prefers. This is the best shape for the team. Will Vanney and his newly named coaching staff make this prudent tactical change? 2) Welcome Back! a€“ Osorio isnt the only player set to return. Captain Steven Caldwell (quad) is in contention after battling a long-standing injury. The defensive line struggled without the centre-halfs communication, experience and overall superior standard of play. Established defensive help wasnt addressed before the MLS roster freeze, making Caldwells inclusion that much more important. A healthy Caldwell drastically improves the backline, and perhaps opens up the possibility for Doneil Henry to take up a wing-back position. It may not be ideal, but Henry played right-back for Canada earlier in the month and played well. For what he lacked going forward, Henry added a more solid defensive presence on the right side of the pitch. If youre going to play Oduro or another attack-minded player on the right wing, you better be sure you are secure defensively. TFC has been exposed on the wing far too easily. Henry would stabilize the position. While Caldwell represents stability, Jermain Defoe signifies the return of cutting edge that has been sorely lacking. Many believed it wouldnt happen, but Defoe will return to Toronto on Monday. According to Defoe, his rehab has gone well, but that doesnt mean hes close to match fitness. Two weeks from now in Los Angeles has been set as Defoes likely return date. If so, Toronto FC will have five gamees of Defoe to help save the season.dddddddddddd The striker leads the team with 11 goals in 16 games, having only played twice in the last 60 days. General manager Tim Bezbatchenko elected not to sell Defoe at the transfer deadline in hopes he could be influential down the stretch. Were about to find out whether it was worth the risk. 3) I feel for Toronto FC a€“ It rarely happens in any sport: a league official admitting a referee got it wrong. MLS commissioner Don Garber did just that in a respectable move Thursday. Toronto FC was robbed of the full three points in Chicago on the weekend as match official David Gantar called back Gilbertos potential winner in time added on. The match ended 1-1 and crucial points were stolen. Gantar spoiled the occasion. An improper call as such is intolerable at this level. Instead of backing the official, as per usual, Garber acknowledged the wrongdoing, saying That referee did not get it right in that game, and we shouldnt be ashamed of saying that. Refreshing stuff from Garber. Michael Bradley had a go at MLS officiating in an honest and emotional post-match rant. Its surprising the league hasnt taken any action (yet) against Bradley. If the league wants to continue doing the right thing, they will let Bradley off with a private warning. Extending the olive branch, developing goodwill with the club and one of the leagues top players can go a long way to coming to common understanding, taking progressive steps to rectifying the wrongs. I respect Bradley for coming to the defence of his team. He understood the possible repercussions and was willing to risk potential punishment, speaking on behalf of the group. Thats how you reinforce leadership and command respect within the room. 4) Ref-Factor a€“ The disallowed goal in Chicago Saturday isnt the only controversial decision made against Toronto FC this season, leading to points dropped. May 2 a€“ Tied 1-1 in the 82nd minute, referee makes New England retake a corner kick Toronto FC had already cleared away. It was a decision that then-head coach Ryan Nelsen claimed, Ive never seen it before. The decision was baffling. Toronto conceded a penalty on the retaken corner, which was then converted, giving the Revs a 2-1 lead and the three points. Harsh. July 2 - Luke Moore gets sent off in the 29th minute as Chicagos Chris Ritter jumped into the elbow of the TFC striker. There was no malice or intent in the aerial challenge. The referee merely reacted to the injury. Ten-man Toronto was superior to a very poor Fire team and played to a 1-1 draw. MLS later rescinded the red card. It was never a foul, nevermind a sending off. July 26 - In the 23rd minute, Aurelien Collin takes down Gilberto, who was in clear on a breakaway. No red card was shown to the Sporting Kansas City defender. Similar situation in the second half as Dominic Oduro was pulled down by last-man back Juliao. No sending off this occasion either. Toronto FC lost 2-1. A referees interpretation went against TFC. These, along with Gilbertos disallowed goal, are all game-changing decisions missed, or match-defining calls that went against Toronto FC. These dropped points as a result of referee error are the difference between sitting in a playoff spot and being on the outside looking in. 5) Poor Chivas - Toronto FC couldnt ask to play a better team Sunday. Chivas USA is in shambles and ripe for the picking. Never mind the fact the team may not even play in 2015 with the franchises future up in the air, the Goats are last place in the Western Conference and are a league worst in goals, assists and virtually every attacking category. Chivas has only scored 23 goals on the season, 14 by Erick Torres who is suspended for the trip to Toronto. If Toronto FC cannot pick up three points against Chivas, it begs the question who can they beat? With a game in hand and the Eastern Conference incredibly tight, chalk Sunday up to a must-win home game for the Reds. The season depends on it. Gareth Wheeler can be reached at: @WheelerTSN gareth.wheeler@bellmedia.ca ' ' '