On a frigid night in Chicago — with temperatures starting at 49 degrees and brisk 14 mph winds — the Seattle Mariners found themselves battling the elements almost as much as their opponent.
“It was cold, sure,” said outfielder Julio Rodríguez after game against the struggling White Sox. “But we all had the mindset to just get in, get out, and get the win.”
That’s exactly what the Mariners did.
Starter Luis Castillo set the tone, attacking Chicago hitters with a fastball-heavy game plan and holding them to three hits over seven scoreless innings. Then in the eighth, Rodríguez launched a grand slam on the first pitch he saw from reliever Cam Booser, helping seal a 5-1 victory at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Seattle has now won four straight to open their 10-game road trip following a rough 1-5 homestand. The win pushed the Mariners to 27-19, tying their best mark of the season at eight games above .500, and keeping them 2.5 games ahead in the AL West. They also improved to 14-8 on the road — the best road winning percentage in MLB.
Meanwhile, the White Sox fell to 14-34, matching their record at this point last season, which ended with a franchise-worst 121 losses.
“Just a complete game from everyone,” said manager Dan Wilson.
Wilson praised the plan developed by catcher Cal Raleigh and Castillo to lean into the fastball, knowing the cold and wind would make it tough for hitters to drive the ball. Castillo delivered, throwing 71 of his 94 pitches as four-seamers or sinkers, with only 23 offspeed offerings.
“He was in total control,” Wilson said. “He got ahead early, stayed in the zone, and gave us what we needed.”
Last August, Castillo famously threw 47 consecutive fastballs against the White Sox. Raleigh joked pregame about going for 50 this time. “We got to 27 in a row and then he called for a slider,” Castillo said, smiling. “I just laughed.”
Castillo retired the final 14 batters he faced. The highlight: a diving grab by left fielder Randy Arozarena on a sinking liner from Andrew Vaughn — a play upheld after replay review despite the ball briefly shifting in his glove.
The Mariners’ offense had been quiet until a two-out rally in the third produced their first run, with Jorge Polanco’s single scoring Ben Williamson. Seattle wouldn’t notch another hit until the eighth when Williamson singled again, sparking a big inning that culminated in Rodríguez’s opposite-field grand slam — his eighth homer of the year and second career slam.
“I was ready to attack early in the count,” Rodríguez said. “Felt good to make solid contact and help the team.”
The 365-foot homer capped a recent surge for Rodríguez, who’s hit safely in seven straight games and 11 of 12, raising his average from .196 to .235 since late April.
Troy Taylor struggled in the ninth, allowing two walks, two hits, and the White Sox’s lone run, forcing Wilson to call on closer Andrés Muñoz. Muñoz responded with a dominant four-pitch strikeout of Michael A. Taylor to end the game and earn his AL-leading 15th save. He still hasn’t allowed an earned run in 20.2 innings this season.
“He’s been nails,” Wilson said. “Just comes in, pounds the zone, and finishes the job.”
The White Sox did unveil a tribute near Section 140 for Pipe Leo XIV, who attended Game 1 of the 2005 World Series — the team’s last championship run.
Game two of the series is scheduled for Tuesday at 4:40 p.m. PT, but weather forecasts call for a 98% chance of rain with thunder and wind, which could threaten the matchup.