sentences:  Iwakuma spent the entirety of his rookie season () with the Buffaloes' "nigun" (Japanese for "minor league" or "farm team") team, clocking with his fastball at one point but making only two appearances all year in the Western League.Iwakuma made his debut at the "ichigun" ("major league") level the following year, appearing in relief in a game against the Nippon-Ham Fighters on May 29 and earning the first career win of his professional career despite giving up a run over 1 innings.He made his first start on June 10 against the Fighters and threw his first career complete game (a two-hit shutout) against the Seibu Lions on September 18, finishing the year with a 4–2 record and playing an important role in the Buffaloes' league title that year.