Luis Castillo strikes out 10 as Seattle Mariners beat Pirates 5-0

May 27, 2023, 4:38 PM | Updated: 6:55 pm

SEATTLE, WA - MAY 27: Reliever Matt Brash #47 of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch during the seventh inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on May 27, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

SEATTLE, WA - MAY 27: Reliever Trevor Gott #30 of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch during the eighth inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on May 27, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won 5-0. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

SEATTLE, WA - MAY 27: Reliever Gabe Speier #55 of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch during the seventh inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on May 27, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

SEATTLE, WA - MAY 27: From left, Ty France #23 of the Seattle Mariners, Kolten Wong #16, J.P. Crawford #3 and Jose Caballero #76 celebrate after a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on May 27, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won 5-0. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

SEATTLE, WA - MAY 27: Julio Rodriguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run on a sacrifice fly by Eugenio Suarez, after the call was overturned on review, during the seventh inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on May 27, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

SEATTLE, WA - MAY 27: Julio Rodriguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners protests being called out at home on a sacrifice fly by Eugenio Suarez #28 during the seventh inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on May 27, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. The call would be overturned on review. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

SEATTLE, WA - MAY 27: Starting pitcher Luis Castillo #58 of the Seattle Mariners is congratulated by manager Scott Servais in the dugout after coming off the field during the sixth inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on May 27, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

SEATTLE, WA - MAY 27: Starting pitcher Luis Castillo #58 of the Seattle Mariners reacts as he walks off the field during the first inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on May 27, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

SEATTLE, WA - MAY 27: Starter Luis Castillo #58 of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch during the second inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on May 27, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

SEATTLE, WA - MAY 27: Starter Luis Castillo #58 of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch during the first inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on May 27, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

SEATTLE, WA - MAY 27: J.P. Crawford #3, left, of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after hitting a double off starting pitcher Vince Velasquez #27 of the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at T-Mobile Park on May 27, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

SEATTLE, WA - MAY 27: Julio Rodriguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after hitting an RBI-double off starting pitcher Vince Velasquez #27 of the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning at T-Mobile Park on May 27, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

SEATTLE, WA - MAY 27: Starter Luis Castillo #58 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after a striking out Carlos Santana #41 of the Pittsburgh Pirates to end the top half of the sixth inning of a game at T-Mobile Park on May 27, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh, left, talks with starting pitcher Luis Castillo, right, after Castillo pitched through six innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a baseball game Saturday, May 27, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP staff

SEATTLE (AP) — Luis Castillo struck out 10 in six crisp innings, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-0 on Saturday.

Seattle Mariners 5, Pittsburgh Pirates 0: Box Score

Castillo allowed one hit — Tucupita Marcano’s double on the game’s first pitch — and walked two. The right-hander earned his second straight win since dropping consecutive starts.

Gabe Speier, Matt Brash, Trevor Gott and Justin Topa then combined for three innings of one-hit ball for Seattle.

It was a sharp contrast from Friday night, when Pittsburgh slugged seven homers in a series-opening win.

“I saw they came out aggressive,” Castillo said. “So in my mind, I said, ‘OK, I just gotta throw a variety of different pitches.’ And that’s what I did.”

Castillo’s 10 strikeouts matched his most since he was acquired in a trade with Cincinnati in July.

You're not hardcore, unless you live hardcore 🪨 pic.twitter.com/TKm4alcPIX

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) May 27, 2023

“I can’t say enough about what he means to our pitching staff and what he’s done since he’s been here,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said.

The Mariners backed Castillo (4-2) with three runs in the first and one in the second. Ty France hit an RBI double and scored on Eugenio Suárez’s check-swing bloop single. Julio Rodríguez added a run-scoring double in the second.

The sun is shining, and the boys put up a three-spot in the first. What a beautiful afternoon. pic.twitter.com/8gzkhAO59l

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) May 27, 2023

Pittsburgh right-hander Vince Velasquez (4-4) departed after two innings due to discomfort in his pitching elbow. He allowed seven hits and walked one.

The 30-year-old Velasquez also exited with elbow discomfort in his previous start on May 4, when he lasted just three innings against Tampa Bay. He was on the 15-day injured list prior to being activated for Saturday’s start.

“Just watching him at the end of the second, he just didn’t look like he was comfortable,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said.

“Having a conversation with him, it just didn’t feel like he was in the best spot, so we decided to take him out.”

J.P. Crawford, France and Rodríguez each had two hits for Seattle. It was Rodríguez’s fifth multihit performance in the past six games.

“Julio is starting to heat up as the weather is heating up, which is really good sign,” Servais said.

It's @JRODshow44 again 🔥 pic.twitter.com/MD6udy2pNo

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) May 27, 2023

ROSTER MOVE

Pittsburgh designated right-hander Duane Underwood Jr. for assignment to make room for Velasquez. Underwood posted a 5.18 ERA in 24 1/3 innings across 20 relief appearances this season. He had a strong April, but struggled to an 8.44 ERA in May.

UP NEXT

Pirates: RHP Luis Ortiz (1-2, 4.02 ERA) makes his fourth start of the season on Sunday after opening the year in Triple-A Indianapolis. He pitched 7 2/3 strong innings against Texas in his last outing, allowing just two runs and five hits.

Mariners: LHP Marco Gonzales (4-1, 5.68 ERA) takes the mound. He tossed six innings of two-run ball against Oakland in his last start, rebounding from a May 17 outing in Boston that was among the worst of his career.

Seattle Mariners rookie Bryce Miller chats about historic start, fastball, more