Castillo’s gritty outing an unsung part of Mariners’ Game 2 win

It wasn’t quite the brilliant masterpiece that Luis Castillo spun back in October 2022 when he threw 7 1/3 scoreless innings in Toronto to kickstart the Seattle Mariners’ playoff run.

But in what was essentially a must-win situation Sunday night, “The Rock” lived up to his nickname with a gritty performance in Seattle’s 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers in Game 2 of the American League Division Series.

The 32-year-old Castillo struggled with his command early on, walking three of the first seven batters he faced. As a result, he needed 51 pitches to labor through the first two innings – which was particularly concerning given that the Mariners had already gone deep into their bullpen the night before in an 11-inning Game 1 loss.

Three things we’ve learned so far from Mariners’ ALDS vs. Detroit

Yet after those first three walks, Castillo settled in and retired the next nine batters. He stabilized his pitch count with a pair of nine-pitch frames in the third and fourth, then got the first two outs of the fifth before giving up his lone hit and handing the ball over to Seattle’s lights-out bullpen.

Castillo’s final line wasn’t extraordinary: 4 2/3 innings, no runs, one hit, three strikeouts and four walks. But on a night when there was little margin for error, the three-time All-Star ultimately came through.

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi made sure to highlight Castillo’s performance during his weekly appearance Monday on Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob.

“The efficiency with which Castillo pitched the second time through (the order) after a very arduous first time, that was everything, because that allowed the ‘pen to line up,” Morosi said. “That allowed them to find a better pocket for (Gabe) Speier, as opposed to having to rush him into a game earlier.

“That was everything. The way that he pitched the second time through, to me, was the deciding element in that game.”

Mike Salk also praised Castillo on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.

“I thought he was great yesterday,” Salk said. “Yes, the pitch count got up early. But one of the cool things about Luis is his ability to limit the pitches when he needs to. He got himself in trouble, 25 pitches (in the first), then 26 (in the second). What does he do the next two innings? Nine and nine. When he needs to throw outs rather than strikeouts, he is incredibly capable of it.

“I think for this version of Luis – this year and this part of his career – that is his superpower. And I thought they really needed it, and he did it really well yesterday.”

Listen to the full Wyman and Bob conversation with Jon Morosi at this link. Hear the full Brock and Salk conversation at this link.

More Seattle Mariners ALDS coverage

• Josh Naylor’s status uncertain for Mariners’ ALDS games in Detroit
• T-Mobile Park hosting Mariners watch parties for ALDS Games 3-4
• Jorge Polanco’s heroics help Seattle Mariners even series with Detroit
• After second-half tear, Julio shining on the October stage
• Polanco’s big game is two great signs in one for Seattle Mariners

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