Mariners bats light it up in 8-4 win versus Nationals

The Mariners finally pull away after a nip and tuck battle in the early going, as Luis Castillo records a win for the first time in a month.

With the halfway point of the regular season nearly here, we are still no closer to knowing if the Mariners are a genuine playoff contender or a .500 baseball team. For one night at least though they looked like the former, with a 8-4 win over the Nationals.

In what was an entertaining game, Seattle finally helped Luis Castillo notch his first victory since the back-end of May. Not that he looked likely to early on, as Washington hit a leadoff home run in the top of the first for a very early advantage.

J.P. Crawford answered with an solo blast of his own in the bottom of the inning, but Castillo’s struggles continued. By the end of the third inning the visitors had a 3-1 lead and the signs were not looking good.

Fortunately for the home fans, the Mariners’ staff ace settled down and matched his season-high of seven innings. He allowed seven hits, a walk and three runs (two earned), while striking out seven.

Of course it wouldn’t have mattered, if Seattle’s bats hadn’t lit it up for the third time in five games. They tied the game at 3-3 in the fourth inning, courtesy of a Eugenio Suarez homer and Julio Rodriguez RBI single.

As much as Suarez had struggled this season on offense, he does lead the team in RBI. Meanwhile, Rodriguez continues to blossom after recovering from an extended period of offensive struggles himself.

The key inning for the Mariners

The fifth inning would prove to be the key frame, as the Mariners finally took control of the game. They scored three runs — all with two outs — to take what would be an insurmountable 6-3 lead.

However, Seattle might have been limited to just a 4-3 advantage through a Suarez sacrifice fly, if not for an important challenge by Scott Servais. Jarred Kelenic had been ruled out on an attempted steal, but the Mariners manager asked the replay booth to review the play.

Replays showed that Kelenic was actually safe, and the ruling was overturned. On the very next pitch he scored easily after a Mike Ford single, to make it 5-3.

Ford was then brought him himself courtesy of a Kolten Wong double, to extend the lead to 6-3. RBIs from Ty France and Teoscar Hernandez in the eighth made it 8-3, before Washington scored a consolation run in the final inning.

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A happy Castillo

Castillo was as relieved as he was happy, to finally get a win. Speaking through an interpreter, he said:

“I had that streak … it wasn’t the best these past few outings for me. But it was important for me to go get that seventh (inning) and thank God that we were able to come up with that one.”

The two-time All-Star was also thankful for the scoring help. He said:

“I kept in there battling and we were able to fight on, and the offense was a big help for me, being able to score those runs and coming away with that win.”

The lineup had 12 hits in total, led by Rodriguez with a game-high of three. Speaking about the offense and specifically their three two-out RBIs, Servais said:

“There’s no better thing, better uplifting feeling in the dugout, than when you’re coming up with those two-out RBIs. We’ve had some games like that, where we talk about just keeping the line moving.”

Servais also emphasized the unity of the players. He said:

“It’s no coincidence when you’re selfless like that and you give yourself up for the team. Then all of a sudden, instead of just getting one run, we ended up with three runs out (of) that (fifth) inning, because we’re doing the right things and executing there.”

Moving forward

The win takes the Mariners back to within one game of .500 and four games of a wild card spot. More consistency is still needed though, in order to prove they can realistically compete for the playoffs.

Kelenic is well aware of this. He said:

“We’re approaching the midway (point of) the season, but I think there’s no better time to start picking it up (than) right now. The path that we’re on right now, we’re having great at-bats. Our swing decisions are great. That’s all you can ask for.”

You can argue that Kelenic’s take might be slightly optimistic. Despite the recent offensive outbursts in three of their past seven games, the other four saw Seattle score just a combined nine runs.

Regardless, the 23-year-old has the right mindset, something which will (continue to) help his team moving forward. He said:

“Now all we need is just a little bit of luck, to really get us going. And I think we’re getting there.”

A sweep over the lowly Nationals would also help. First things first though the Mariners will send Bryan Woo to the mound on Tuesday night, as they look to win the three-game series.

What stood out for you most on Monday night at T-Mobile Park? Further, how likely are the Mariners to sweep this three-game set with the Nationals? Let us know in the comments section below.