Mariners’ Bryce Miller, Luis Castillo make 44-year history in win vs D-Backs

Not everyone has been a fan of the Seattle Mariners’ piggyback pitching plan. But on Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, it worked to perfection.

In a 3-2 win over the Diamondbacks, Luis Castillo and Bryce Miller made history. They became the first pair of teammates to each pitch exactly five innings in a win since 1982, via Jayson Stark of the Athletic.

“That’s possibly because we haven’t seen any team win a 10-inning game like that — with just two pitchers working exactly five innings apiece — since April 16, 1982, a mere 44 years ago,” Stark wrote. “Back then, Dave Schmidt and Danny Darwin did the honors for the Rangers.”

Miller got the start, pitching five innings of scoreless baseball, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out five. Castillo then pitched the next five, allowing a run on two hits and two walks while striking out three. The Mariners ultimately won via a Victor Robles walk-off single in the 10th.

With a litany of talent pitchers in their rotation, manager Dan Wilson has opted to implement the piggyback strategy. It’s in an effort to help limit innings for their starters and not overwork the bullpen. Seattle is still working out the kinks, but their NL West leading 33-30 record is at least a sign of some success. 

If injuries were to occur, the Mariners would return to a traditional rotation. But for now, players like Miller and Castillo must be ready to be piggyback. If it looks like Sunday’s game, maybe they’ll be a bit more open to the idea.

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