SEATTLE MARINERS NOTES:
TONIGHT’S TILT…the Mariners continue a 6-game road trip tonight with the second of 3 games against the New York Yankees (0-1)…they will also face the Baltimore Orioles (3 G, 6/23-6/25) on the trip…Seattle is coming off a 4-2 homestand against the Miami Marlins (2-1) and Chicago White Sox (2-1)…tonight’s game will be televised live on ROOT Sports with Dave Sims and Aaron Goldsmith on the call..the game will also be broadcast live on Seattle Sports (710 AM) and Mariners.com with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.
ODDS AND ENDS…the Mariners dropped last night’s series opener in the Bronx 3-1…the Mariners are 13-12 over their last 25 games (5/22-c)…Seattle is 26-13 when scoring at least 4 runs and 9-23 when scoring 3-or-fewer…the Mariners are 21-17 at T-Mobile Park and 14-19 on the road this season…they are 10-15 in day games and 25-21 at night.
- From Elon to the Show – All 8 innings thrown by Mariners in last night’s game were pitched by an Elon University product, with George Kirby (7.0 IP) and Ty Adcock (1.0) combining to allow just 3 runs against the Yankees.
- Quality Kirb – George Kirby recorded his 11th quality start of the season in last night’s game…his 11 quality starts are tied for the 3rd-most in the Majors, trailing only Marcus Stroman (14) and Framber Valdez (12).
- .500 or Better – The Mariners (35-36) are 12-25 against teams .500-or-better this season, and 23-11 against below-.500 teams.
- No Free Passes – The Mariners pitchers have issued no walks in 9 games this season, tied with Los Angeles-NL for the most in the Majors.
DIRTY ROCK…Luis Castillo is making his 5th career start against the Yankees, going 1-1 with a 2.36 ERA (7 ER, 26.2 IP) with 25 strikeouts over his first 4 starts against the Bronx Bombers…”La Piedra” made his Mariners debut at Yankee Stadium last year on August 2, striking out 8 over 6.2 innings and earning the win…overall this season, Castillo has posted a 2.73 ERA (25 ER, 82.1 IP) with 23 walks and a team-leading 98 strikeouts…among qualified AL starters, Castillo ranks 5th in ERA, 8th in strikeouts, T3rd in opponent batting average (.201/61×303) and 6th in WHIP (1.02).
CHIEF OF STAFFS…the Mariners pitching staff leads the Majors in FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement (11.5) by a wide margin, ranking ahead of Philadelphia (10.6)…Seattle pitchers also lead the Majors in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.57), FIP (3.56), walks-per-9 innings (2.58) and home runs-per-9 innings (0.95)… Mariners starters rank 3rd in fWAR (7.8) behind Philadelphia (8.5) and Minnesota (8.1)…Seattle leads the Majors in quality starts (37), ranking ahead of Houston (36)…Mariners relievers rank 2nd in fWAR (3.7), trailing only Baltimore (4.1).
KELL’S KITCHEN…Jarred Kelenic went 1-for-3 with 1 walk, 1 double and 1 RBI in yesterday’s game and is batting .259 (63×243) with 30 runs, 17 doubles, 2 triples, 11 home runs, 33 RBI, 8 stolen bases and 25 walks in 67 games this season, getting on base at a .330 clip, slugging .481 with an .811 OPS…the 23-yearold outfielder leads the team in extra-base hits (30), slugging percentage and OPS…in 8 career games at Yankee Stadium, Kelenic is batting .250 (7×28) with 3 doubles, 2 home runs, 4 RBI and an .871 OPS.
THE J-ROD SHOW THROUGH 200…center fielder Julio Rodríguez is one of 2 players in Major League history with 40+ home runs and 40+ stolen bases through a player’s first 200 career games, joining Fernando Tatis Jr.-SD…Julio appeared in his 200th career Major League game on Sunday and through his first 200 games batted .270 (214×794) with 126 runs, 39 doubles, 4 triples, 40 home runs, 114 RBI, 40 stolen bases and 60 walks, getting on base at a .330 clip, slugging .480 with an .810 OPS.
TEO-RIZING PITCHERS…outfielder Teoscar Hernández had his 14-game on base streak (6/2-18) snapped in last night’s game…despite the 0-for-4, Teo is batting .327 (18×55) with 7 runs, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 11 RBI and 7 walks, getting on base at a .403 clip, slugging .582 with a .985 OPS in 15 June games…over his last 42 games (5/3-c), Hernández is batting .285 (45×158) with 16 runs, 7 doubles, 2 triples, 5 homers, 23 RBI and 13 walks, getting on base at a .337 clip, slugging .449 with an .787 OPS.
FLY ME TO THE MUÑ…Andrés Muñoz has not allowed a run in 9 appearances this season, recording 1 save with 3 walks and 13 strikeouts in 8.1 innings out of the Mariners bullpen…since being reinstated from the 15-day Injured List on June 6, he has tossed 5.0 scoreless innings over 5 appearances, with 2 walks and 10 strikeouts…the right-hander has not allowed a regular season home run in over a calendar year (last HR: June 10, 2022)…his homerless streak of 53.0 innings is the longest in the Majors among pitchers who have appeared in a game during the 2023 season.
TY IS OUR GUY…Ty France was hit by the 62nd pitch of his Mariners career in last night’s game, and now sits 1 shy of moving into a tie for 2nd place in Mariners history (also: Kyle Seager), trailing Edgar Martinez’s Mariners record of 89 career HBP…over France’s last 24 games (5/22-c), he is batting .316 (30×95) with 19 runs, 8 doubles, 4 home runs, 12 RBI, 5 walks and 5 hit-by-pitches, getting on base at a .381 clip, slugging .526 with a .907 OPS…he has 10 multi-hit games during that span and has reached base safely in 21 of those 24 contests…France’s 159 wRC+ since May 22 ranks 9th-highest in the American League.
BIG DUMPER, BIG PRODUCTION…Cal Raleigh went 1-for-3 in last night’s game, and is batting .353 (6×17) with 1 double and 1 home run over his last 6 games (6/13-c), getting on base at a .421 clip and slugging .588 with a 1.009 OPS…since the start of 2022, Raleigh ranks 5th among Major League catchers, compiling 5.5 fWAR and his 36 home runs trails only Salvador Perez-KC (37 HR).
ALL YOU NEED IS GLOVE…the Mariners defense has compiled 23 Outs Above Average this season, tied for 4th-most in the Majors with San Francisco, trailing San Diego (18), Milwaukee (15) and Texas (14)… Eugenio Suárez (7 OAA) ranks 2nd among American League third basemen…Julio Rodríguez (6) ranks T5th among AL outfielders.
AS YOU MAY KNOW…Luis Castillo is making the 26th start of his Mariners career in tonight’s game, and is 8-7 with a 2.93 ERA (48 ER, 147.2 IP) with 175 strikeouts over his first 25 starts with Seattle, but…DID YOU KNOW?…that Castillo’s 175 strikeouts through his first 25 Mariners starts are the most in franchise history through a player’s first 25 outings with the club?…he ranks ahead of Robbie Ray (173) and Michael Pineda (156)…DID YOU ALSO KNOW?…that his 2.93 ERA through his first 25 starts with Seattle is 2nd to only Joel Piñeiro (2.84 ERA)?…he also ranks 3rd in Mariners history with a .213 (116×546) opponents batting average, trailing only Justin Dunn (.191) and Michael Pineda (.209).
MARINERS STARTER – RHP LUIS CASTILLO
2023 MLB Breakdown:
W-L ERA G/GS IP H R ER BB SO HR
Overall 4-5 2.73 14/14 82.1 61 29 25 23 98 9
Home 4-2 2.03 9/9 53.1 32 12 12 15 67 3
Road 0-3 4.03 5/5 29.0 29 17 13 8 31 6
vs. NYY 0-0 0.00 0/0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ABOUT CASTILLO…
- The 30-year-old right-hander is set to make his 15th start of the season, 1st against the Yankees…he is also making his 163rd Major League start and 5th career start against New York-AL.
- Has been named an All-Star in 2019 and 2022.
- Originally signed as an international free agent by the San Francisco Giants on 12/23/11.
- Made MLB debut on 6/23/17 vs. Washington (w/ Cincinnati)
- Signed a 5-year contract extension with the Seattle Mariners on Sept. 24, 2022 after being acquired in a trade with Cincinnati on July 30, 2022.
LAST TIME OUT…L#5 in last start on 6/14 vs. MIA…allowed 2 runs on 2 hits (1 HR) and 6 walks in 5.2 innings pitched while striking out 6.
IN THE BIG APPLE…is set to make his 4th career start at Yankee Stadium… Castillo’s first 2 Mariners starts were against the Yankees with his debut coming
at Yankee Stadium…with Seattle, Castillo is 1-0 with a 1.84 ERA (3 ER, 14.2 IP) with 15 strikeouts and 5 walks against New York-AL.
INNINGS EATER…has made 8 starts this season where he has pitched at least 6.0 innings including 4 of his last 5 starts…in those 4 starts Castillo has a 1.44 ERA (4 ER, 25.0 IP) and has allowed 16 hits and 6 walks while striking out 34…his career-high for games with at least 6.0 innings pitched in a season is 22 which he
achieved in 2019.
SEASON-HIGH PUNCHIES…matched a season-high 10 strikeouts in his start on 6/9 against the Angels….this marked the 17th time in Castillo’s career that he has
recorded 10+ strikeouts in a game (last: 5/27 vs. PIT).
1,000 AND COUNTING…recorded his 1,000th career strikeout in his outing on 5/22 against Oakland after striking out Shea Langeliers to begin the 5th inning…Castillo finished the night with 8 strikeouts.
STILL ROLLING…has only allowed 23 walks while striking out 98 batters in 14 starts this season…his 23 walks are tied for the 10th fewest in the American League…his 98 strikeouts on the season ranks tied 5th in the AL…Castillo’s 4.26 strikeout-to-walk ratio ranks 9th in the AL among pitchers with at least 14 starts.
OFF TO A GOOD START…his 175 strikeouts through his first 25 Mariners starts are the most in Mariners history through a pitchers first 25 starts…he ranks
ahead of Robbie Ray (173) and Michael Pineda (156).
MAKING THEM EARN IT…has only allowed 25 earned runs through 14 starts this season which is tied 5th in the Major Leagues…his 2.73 ERA (25 ER, 81.2 IP) ranks 7th in the Major Leagues behind Bryce Elder-ATL (2.60).
KEEPING THE BASES CLEAN…has allowed 89 runners to reach base safely through 14 starts this season which is tied for 3rd fewest in the Major Leagues with Logan Gilbert…he also ranks among Major League leaders in opponents average (T-4th, .201/61×303) and WHIP (3rd, 1.020).
DOMINATE THE ZONE…had 38 strikeouts in both March/April and May…this was the first time in his career that he has recorded the same number of strikeouts in back-to-back months…his career-high in strikeouts in a single month is 50 which he achieved in 2019.
KEEPING THEM IN THE YARD…gave up his first home run of the season on 4/28, breaking a 5-game span of allowing no home runs…this was his longest span of games to start a season without giving up a home run in his career.
NEW YORK YANKEES NOTES:
AT A GLANCE: The Yankees will continue their six-game homestand tonight with the second game of a three-game set vs. Seattle (1-0 thus far)…will also play a three-game series vs. Texas (Fri.-Sun.)…went 1-4 on their five-game road trip after splitting a two-game set against the Mets at Citi Field and dropping three games at Boston this past weekend.
Snapped their season-high-tying four-game losing streak on Tuesday (also lost four games from 4/28-5/1)… after their last four-game losing streak, went 15-5 in their next 20 games from 5/2-23.
Are 17-14 in their last 31 games, 19-15 in their last 34 games, 22-16 in their last 38 games and 25-18 in their last 43 games (since 5/2).
Have won or split eight of their last 12 completed series (since 5/8) and nine of their last 14 completed series (since 5/1).
YESTERDAY’S NEWS: The Yankees snapped their season-high-tying four-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over the Mariners on Tuesday…RHP Gerrit Cole (7.1IP, 4H, 1ER, 1BB, 8K, 1HP) started and earned his eighth win of the season… 1B Anthony Rizzo (3-for-4, 2 doubles, 1RBI) tied his season high with 3H (fifth time, first since 5/23 vs. Baltimore)… drove in the Yankees’ first run with an RBI double in the first inning…LF/RF Billy McKinney (1-for-3, 1R, 1HR, 2RBI) hit his second home run of the year with a two-run HR in the second inning…2B Gleyber Torres (1-for-4, 1R) extended his on-base streak to 11 games…CF Harrison Bader (1-for3, 1R) was reinstated from the injured list prior to the game and played in his first game since 5/29 at Seattle…RHP Clay Holmes (1.2IP, 2K) earned his ninth save of the season after tossing 1.2 perfect innings of relief.
HOT START: OF Billy McKinney hit his second home run of the year on Tuesday with a two-run HR in the second inning…owns a season-opening 11-game on-base streak,
marking the second-longest on-base streak of his career (trails only a 19-game streak from 3/30-9/9/18)…is batting .289/.308/.579 (11-for-38) with 5R, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 2HR, 4RBI and 1BB in 11 games this season.
Has hit safely in 10 of 11 games this year.
HOLMES SWEET HOLMES: RHP Clay Holmes has not allowed a run in 19 of his last 20 appearances (since 5/6), going 4-0 with five saves, a 0.44 ERA (20.2IP, 1ER) and 26K in that span…his 0.44 ERA since 5/6 is the second-lowest among Major League relievers in that span (min. 15.0IP), trailing only Miami’s Andrew Nardi (0.00 ERA in 18.0IP).
NOBODY BEATS THE RIZZ: INF Anthony Rizzo tied his season high with three hits on Tuesday (fifth time, first since 5/23 vs. Baltimore)…drove in the Yankees’ first run with an RBI double in the first inning…he also recorded multiple extra-base hits in a game for the third time this season (also 2XBH on 4/13 vs. Minnesota and 5/12 vs. Tampa Bay)…his 2 doubles marked his most in a game since 7/9/22 at Boston.
Is batting .324/.391/.547 (45-for-139) with 20R, 7 doubles, 8HR, 22RBI, 13BB and 3HP in 37 home games this season. GOT YOUR NUMBER: OF Harrison Bader has hit .333/.400/.444 (6-for-18) with 2 doubles, 1RBI and 2BB in his career off Seattle’s RHP Luis Castillo.
CLOSE CALLS: The Yankees have had 12 of their last 15 games, 20 of their last 26 games and 27 of their last 34 games decided by 3R-or-fewer…have had 49 games this
season decided by 3R-or-fewer, tied for the fourth-most such games in the Majors, trailing only Cleveland (54), Los Angeles-AL (51) and Cincinnati (51).
PEN PALS: Yankees relievers have posted a Major League-best 2.94 ERA (275.2IP, 90ER) and a .214 opponents’ BA this season…the Yankees are only one of two Major League bullpens that currently own an ERA below 3.30 (also Cleveland – 2.98).
FAN-TASTIC: The Yankees have averaged 40,408 fans per home game this season, the highest home average attendance in the American League and the second-highest in the Majors, trailing only Los Angeles-NL (48,025).
SEA-ING CLEARLY: The Yankees have won 10 of their last 12 completed series vs. the Mariners (since 8/22/16) and 13 of their last 16 completed series since 6/10/14.
Overall, are 28-11 in their last 39 matchups vs. the Mariners (since 8/23/16).
Are 13-4 in their last 17 games vs. the Mariners at Yankee Stadium (since 8/26/17).
COLE TRAIN: RHP Gerrit Cole earned his eighth win of the season on Tuesday after allowing just 1ER in 7.1IP (4H, 1BB, 8K, 1HP)…is now 8-1 with a 2.64 ERA (99.0IP, 29ER) and 106K in 16 starts this season…his 2.64 ERA is the third-lowest ERA by a Yankees starter through his first 16 games of a season in the last 24 years (since 2000), trailing only Masahiro Tanaka’s 2.10 ERA in his first 16GS in 2014 and Luis Severino’s 2.24 ERA in his first 16GS in 2018.
Has allowed 2R-or-fewer in 13 of his first 16 starts…his 13 such starts are tied with Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan for the second-most in the Majors, trailing only Chicago-NL’s Marcus Stroman (14).
Tuesday marked the seventh time this season he started after a Yankees’ loss…the Yankees are 7-0 in those games with Cole going 4-0 with a 1.87 ERA (43.1IP, 9ER) in those starts.
Is tied for second in the Majors in innings pitched (99.0, also tied for second in AL), fifth in strikeouts (106, third in AL), sixth in ERA (2.64, fourth in AL), tied for sixth in wins (eight, tied for third in AL) and eighth in opponents’ OPS (.613, sixth in AL).
His 8-1 record (.889) is the second-best in the Majors, trailing only Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan (11-1, .917)…is one of six Yankees pitchers (seventh time) to win at least eight of his first 16 starts of a season while recording one-or-zero losses, joining Ron Guidry (12-0 in 1978), Jimmy Key (11-1 in 1994), Roger Clemens
(10-1 in 2001), Whitey Ford (10-1 in 1964) and Allie Reynolds (9-1 in 1949 and ’54).
The Yankees are 12-4 in his starts this season…is one of three starting pitchers this season to have his team win at least 12 of his starts…joins Tampa Bay’s Shane
McClanahan (club is 13-2 in 15GS) and Atlanta’s Spencer Strider (club is 13-2 in 15GS).
His 7.1IP on Tuesday marked his second-longest start of the season…has tossed at least 6.0 innings in 12 of his 16 starts…his 12 such starts are tied for the most in the AL and tied for the fourth-most in the Majors.
Has recorded at least 8K in eight of his 16 starts this season.
GLEYBER DAY: INF Gleyber Torres is batting .303/.361/.636 (10-for-33) with 5R, 2 doubles, 3HR, 5RBI and 3BB in his last 10 games since 6/8-Game 2.
Owns an 11-game on-base streak since 6/8-Game 1… marks his third on-base streak of at least 11 games this season (also 14G from 5/18-6/2 and 12G from 5/5-16).
FIRST THINGS FIRST: Yankees batters have scored at least one run in the first inning in each of their last four games and five of their last six games.
DARTH BADER: OF Harrison Bader was reinstated from the injured list prior to Tuesday’s game…has reached base in nine of his last 11 games…has stolen a base in career-high straight games and has 7SB in his last 16 games.
TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: RHP JHONY BRITO (3-3, 5.58 ERA)
RHP Jhony Brito will be making his 11th appearance (10th start) of the season in tonight’s game vs. Seattle…was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre prior to tonight’s game…the 25-year-old will pitch on extended five days’ rest…made his last appearance in Game 2 of Thursday’s doubleheader at Rochester with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, allowing 6ER over 5.0IP without recording a decision (7H, 2BB, 5K, 1HR)…did not record a decision in his his last Major League start on 5/20 at Cincinnati after allowing 4ER over 4.0IP (4H, 4BB, 6K, 1HR)…his three wins are tied for the seventh-most in the Majors (tied for fourth-most in the AL) among rookie pitchers this season…became just the fifth pitcher in Yankees history to allow 4H-or-fewer in five of his first eight career starts, joining Bill Burbach (five such starts in 1969), Dave Righetti (five such starts from 1979-81), Sam Militello (five such starts in 1992) and Luis Gil (five such starts in 2021)…became the first pitcher in franchise history to allow 3H-orfewer in four of his first five career starts…became the first pitcher in Yankees history to throw at least 5.0IP, allow 3H-or-fewer and allow 1R-or-fewer in each of his first two career Major League starts…was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on 3/30 and made his first career Opening Day roster…over parts of six minor league seasons in the Yankees organization (2016-17, ’19, ’21-23), has gone 27-22 with two saves and a 3.88 ERA (413.0IP, 402H, 213R/178ER, 91BB, 361K, 34HR) in 90 career appearances (74 starts)…was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on 11/9/15.
LAST TIME OUT: Made his fourth start of the season for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in Game 2 of Thursday’s doubleheader at Rochester, allowing 6ER over 5.0IP without recording a decision (7H, 2BB, 5K, 1HR).
Has tossed 5.0IP-or-more in each of his four minor league starts this season.
Has allowed two-or-more walks and one-or-more HRs in each of his four minor league starts.
2023: Is 3-3 with a 5.58 ERA (40.1IP, 25ER) and 30K in 10 appearances (nine starts) this season…has tossed at least 5.0IP and allowed 2ER-or-fewer in four of his 10 appearances, including 1ER-or-fewer in three of those games.
In four minor league starts with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, is 1-1 with a 7.08 ERA (20.1IP, 27H, 17R/16ER, 10BB, 17K, 6HR, 1HP).
Recorded a no decision on 5/20 at Cincinnati after allowing 4ER over 4.0IP (4H, 4BB, 6K, 1HR)…his 4BB marked a career high.
Made his first career relief appearance on 5/15 at Toronto and earned his third win of the season.
Took his third loss of the season on 4/29 at Texas despite allowing just 2ER over 5.0IP (4H, 1BB, 5K, 1HR)…became just the third pitcher in Yankees history to allow 4H-or-fewer in five of his first six career starts, joining Dave Righetti (five such starts from 1979-81) and Luis Gil (five such starts in 2021).
Took the loss on 4/24 at Minnesota after allowing 3ER over 2.2IP (3H, 3BB, 1K)…marked his fourth start this season with 3H-or-fewer allowed… became the first pitcher in franchise history to allow 3H-or-fewer in four of their first five career starts.
Did not record a decision in the Yankees’ 3-2, extra-innings victory vs. Los Angeles-AL on 4/19 (4.1IP, 3H, 1ER, 3BB, 3K)…marked his third start this season with 1R allowed-or-fewer…became just the third pitcher in Yankees history to allow 1R-or-fewer in three of his first four career starts, joining Chase Whitley (three such starts in 2014) and Luis Gil (three such starts in 2021)…marked his third start this season with 3H allowed-or-fewer…became just the second Yankees pitcher in franchise history to allow 3H-or-fewer in three of their first four career starts (Luis Gil, three such starts in 2021).
Took his first career loss in the Yankees’ 11-2 defeat on 4/13 vs. Minnesota, allowing 7ER in 0.2IP (6H, 1BB, 0K, 1HR)…marked the shortest outing by a Yankees starter (not including openers) since Jameson Taillon on 6/12/21 at Philadelphia (0.1IP)…were the most runs allowed by a Yankees starter who didn’t make it out of the first inning since Nathan Eovaldi on 6/16/15 at Miami (8R/ER in 0.2IP).
Earned his second career win in the Yankees’ 4-1 victory on 4/8 at Baltimore, allowing just 1ER over 5.0IP (3H, 2BB, 2K)…retired 14 of his final 17BF after surrendering two singles and a sacrifice fly to his first 3BF…became the first pitcher in Yankees history to throw at least 5.0IP, allow 3H-or-fewer and allow 1R-or-fewer in each of his first two career Major League starts (also 5.0IP, 2H, 0R in his Major League debut on 4/2 vs. San Francisco).
Became just the seventh pitcher in Yankees history to toss at least 5.0IP and allow 1R-or-fewer in each of his first two career appearances, joining Cliff Markle (first five appearances from 1915-16), Luis Gil (first two in 2021), Orlando Hernández (first two in 1998), Rich Beck (first two in 1965), Jack Quinn (first two in 1909) and Slow Joe Doyle (first two in 1906)…is just the sixth to do so as a starter (Markle made his first career appearance as a reliever).
Became the 15th pitcher in franchise history to win each of his first two career starts and the first since Orlando Hernández in 1998.
HOME SWEET HOME: Is 1-1 with a 6.28 ERA (14.1IP, 10ER) and 12K in four career Major League starts at home.
Has allowed 2ER-or-fewer in three of his four home starts.
The Yankees are 3-1 in his four starts at Yankee Stadium this season.
