After two clean sheets, Mariners fight for series win over Mets

(Photo: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports)

The Seattle Mariners pitching staff appears to be ready for prime time.

After back-to-back losses to the New York Mets, the Mariners will host a Sunday night game on ESPN for the first time since 2004 as they attempt to win a three-game interleague series.

Mariners ace Luis Castillo (9-11, ERA 3.48) will try to help his team beat New York for the third straight time when he faces another right-handed pitcher, Luis Severino (7-5, ERA 4.06) of the Mets.

“We have good hitters. They’ve been playing their best the last couple of nights, tonight and yesterday,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, whose team lost a half-game to Atlanta in pursuit of the third and final National League wild-card spot. “We didn’t show much, but … we have to be ready (Sunday) for another good hitter.”

Seattle’s Bryce Miller threw six innings in a 6-0 victory Friday. All-Star Logan Gilbert threw seven innings, allowing just three hits, in a 4-0 decision Saturday.

“I sit here and say the same thing every night, right?” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “It never gets old when you watch it (pitching) every night. We’re spoiled. Our starting pitching has been outstanding all year.”

The Mariners, who are tied with Houston for first place in the American League West, lead the major leagues with 72 starts and 13 clean sheets.

On Saturday, Seattle scored three runs in the first inning on a single by Sean Manaea, while Victor Robles, Randy Arozarena and Justin Turner each hit doubles, and Mitch Haniger added an RBI single with two outs.

“Saturday night, the fans are going crazy and I’m in the tunnel getting ready for the (second) round and it sounds like a playoff game,” Gilbert said. “To get those three points in the first round is huge. Then it’s just my job to go out there and try to keep it.”

The Mariners’ offense was bolstered by the acquisitions of Robles, Arozarena, and Turner during the season. Robles was acquired on waivers from Washington in early June, while Arozarena and Turner joined in deals with Tampa Bay and Toronto, respectively, in the final month of trading.

But for the Mariners, it all comes down to pitching.

“With any personnel, the goal is to get up the plate quickly, give our guy some breathing room, let him come out and attack,” Turner said. “But especially with this personnel and how talented they are and the way they throw the ball and chase it, getting those runs early and allowing them to be aggressive, attack the zone, not have to be too cautious, is huge and I think that’s a great recipe for us.”

Severino, who is 2-1 with a 3.44 ERA in three starts against the Mariners, has lost his last two decisions. On Tuesday at Colorado, he allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits in five innings of a 6-3 loss.

Castillo suffered a 4-2 loss to Detroit on Tuesday despite having his sixth straight hot start, allowing three runs in six innings. Castillo is 1-1 with a 4.44 ERA in four starts against the Mets.

–Field Level Media