SEATTLE -- Chris Flexen has emerged as the most reliable starter in the Mariners’ rotation. He might have a case for that designation across the American League.

In a trademark Flexen start defined by weak contact, pitch-count efficiency and a solid gameplan with catcher Tom Murphy, the cerebral right-hander navigated his way through seven shutout innings of three-hit ball to lead the Mariners to a 2-0 win over the Angels Saturday at T-Mobile Park. The victory clinched the three-game series and a winning homestand in this nine-game stretch leading into the All-Star break.

Seattle is now 12-4 when Flexen takes the hill compared to 36-38 with everyone else. The Mariners’ .750 win percentage in Flexen’s outings is the second highest in the AL for a team behind any pitcher who’s made at least 15 starts.

Highest team win percentage among AL starters*

1. Aaron Civale (CLE): .800
2. Chris Flexen (SEA): .750
3. Chris Bassitt (OAK): .722
4. Nick Pivetta (BOS): .706
5. Zack Greinke (HOU): .684

*min. 15 starts

Saturday also marked the third time that Flexen has pitched seven shutout innings, which is the most in the AL and second most in the Majors. He also lowered his ERA at T-Mobile Park to 1.76 in 10 starts. And since May 27, which immediately followed a career-worst start in San Diego, Flexen has a 2.26 ERA that ranks second in the AL over 51 2/3 innings in that stretch, trailing only Sean Manaea’s 2.15.

Perhaps fittingly, given that it was Flexen’s night, the Mariners advanced to a season-high six games above .500 (48-42) and remain 2 1/2 games out of the second American League Wild Card spot after the A’s, Yankees and Indians all won on Saturday. Seattle has won 14 of its past 20 to reach this point. Over the past calendar month, its 17 wins are tied for third most in the Majors while division-rival Houston leads the way with 19.

But statistical accolades go on and on. It’s how Flexen is navigating his second shot in the big leagues after a season overseas that continues to wow.

“His ability to shape certain pitches and attack certain zones in the strike zone is way better than I thought it was going to be when we first saw him in Spring Training,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “And to see his growth, and the confidence he's gained and his ability to move the ball on different quadrants of the strike zone is very, very impressive. He's got good stuff. He's got four quality pitches. Now, he's actually comfortable enough. He's pitching to scouting reports and hitters’ weaknesses a little bit more, and that's what you’ve got to do in this league.”

In a high-velocity era, Flexen is mastering the offspeed. His changeup has emerged as a legitimate weapon, and never has it been more impressive than in two critical sequences on Saturday against the best player on the planet, at least currently.

That would be Shohei Ohtani, who saw 18 pitches over three plate appearances against Flexen, including seven changeups. Flexen danced around the edges and had a healthy mix between his cutter, which he mostly put on Ohtani’s hands, and the changeup, which he attempted to get him to nibble at away. Even though that approach led to a full-count walk in the first encounter, it served him well in the next two. He generated a weak popout from Ohtani on a full-count changeup in the fourth, then he struck him out looking on one that might’ve been aided by a generous call from home-plate umpire Kerwin Danley.

Either way, Flexen’s diligence -- and execution -- in those moments, working in tandem with Murphy, were a microcosm of his outing and his season.

“I think that's the biggest thing, is the trust and conviction,” Flexen said. “There are times where maybe it's something that I don't feel and I am able to shake, and then there are times where I wasn't thinking it, and [Murphy] throws something down, and I get excited for it and immediately have 100 percent trust and conviction in that. That comes along from working together for a while with both catchers and continuing to get that experience with those guys.”

The Mariners liked what they were getting in Flexen when they scouted him exclusively on video last winter from his pandemic-impacted year in the Korean Baseball Organization. But even they admit that they weren’t necessarily marveling at what they were watching through a screen.

Flexen had offers from other Major League clubs, as well as the Doosan Bears team that he pitched for in 2020, when he went 8-4 with a 3.01 ERA and 132 strikeouts in 116 2/3 innings. An impassioned Zoom interview with general manager Jerry Dipoto about the Mariners, their future and their desire to win behind Flexen proved to be the difference.

The surrounding cast has been just as critical, especially the acumen that Murphy brings behind the plate. But Flexen feels that he’s found the weapons to best use to his advantage and the right people helping him execute. The decision to sign with Seattle is proving to be one that has resurrected his career after three mostly disappointing seasons with the Mets. And for the Mariners, they might have signed the steal of last offseason.

“I 100 percent made the right decision,” Flexen said. “I love being here. I love this organization. They've done a tremendous job with me.”