Diaz delivers another grand opening

Edwin Diaz is only 22 years old, but he's become "Old Reliable" on Opening Day.

The Mariners' second-ranked prospect spun six two-hit frames while striking out nine as Double-A Jackson shut out Montgomery, 6-0, on Thursday at The Ballpark at Jackson.

"I feel really, really happy. A lot of good things happened. I've had a good start every year [on Opening Day] and I feel very happy and that they trust me makes me happy," Diaz said. "[Thursday] was pretty good. I can't do better."

Over four straight opening days, Diaz (1-0) has held opponents to two runs on 10 hits and three walks while striking out 31 in 21 2/3 innings from Rookie-level ball all the way to Double-A.

"I feel nervous when I pitch just on Opening Day and the last start of the season," the Puerto Rico native said. "I think I feel nervous because I [just] want to pitch and get in the game."

Once the nerves settled, Diaz got into a groove, striking out six straight hitters across the second and third frames. The right-hander was reminded of last season when he fanned seven straight and knew the key then was to locate his pitches.

"Every time I try to do my best, and [Thursday], I located all my pitches and elevated my fastball," he said. "Everything was working. I located my fastball pretty good, up and down, my changeup was working."

Congrats to @EdiDiaz44 as well, starting for Jackson. His fourth-straight Opening Day start-all at different levels. pic.twitter.com/X49YTBO0RT

- Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 7, 2016

The Mariners selected Diaz in the third round of the 2012 Draft out of the Caguas Military Academy in Puerto Rico. After a season of adjusting in the Arizona League following the Draft, the right-hander has been a consistent starter while ascending through the system.

Last season, Diaz began the year with Class A Advanced Bakersfield where he dominated the historically hitter-friendly California League. The 6-foot-3 hurler posted a 1.70 ERA with 42 strikeouts in seven starts before getting the call to Double-A on May 13.

While it took time for Diaz to adjust to the Southern League -- allowing 15 runs in his first three starts -- he grabbed national attention once he did get comfortable. He was selected to the All-Star Futures Game and later was named the organization's top Minor League pitcher for the second straight year.

After making the rounds through the Minors on Opening Day, Diaz looks toward the next step in his career. And he knows exactly what he needs to do to get there.

"Keep pounding the zone, keep pitching good to make the big leagues -- that's my goal," he said. "So I need to keep pounding the zone to achieve my goal."

After Diaz's exit, Mariners' No. 6 prospect D.J. Peterson slapped an RBI infield single and Tyler O'Neill knocked a two-run triple in the sixth off Jacob Faria (0-1).

"The hitters were good, they helped me, they gave me the runs. We win as a team," Diaz said. "We work as a team and we do everything as a team."

Faria, the Rays' No. 9 prospect, allowed three runs on three hits and a walk while striking out eight in 5 2/3 innings.