Neither Bryce Miller or Luis Castillo seems happy with their current arrangement and a more permanent solution is likely needed.
The Seattle Mariners earned a much-needed win against the Athletics on Monday night in West Sacramento, Calif.
The Mariners beat the Athletics 9-2 and pulled to within 1.5 games of the A's for first place in the American League West.
Seattle will take first place in the AL West if it wins the final two games of the series against the Athletics. Monday's game should have been seen as a building block to not only what could end up being a successful series, but a turning point in the season.
Instead, what drew the post attention following the Mariners' win was the dissatisfaction of two starting pitchers.
Monday marked the second time Seattle opted with a piggyback approach with Luis Castillo and Bryce Miller. The first was a game against the Chicago White Sox on May 19 in which Miller started and went 5.2 innings and Castillo pitched 2.1.
The inverse was the case against the Athletics. Castillo was chosen for the start and Miller pitched the latter half of the game.
Despite the win and a successful outing for both hurlers, neither seemed satisfied after the game.
Castillo had his best outing in weeks and struck out six, walked two and allowed two hits in four innings pitched. He threw 68 pitches (42 strikes).
Miller pitched the final five innings and fanned four and allowed two earned runs on five hits (one home run). He threw 83 pitches (55 strikes).
Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryce Miller throws during a game against the Athletics on Monday at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, Calif. | Scott Marshall/Imagn ImagesIn a typical situation, Castillo would have gone longer rather than come out of the game.
Miller was in a similar situation in his start against the White Sox. He fanned seven, walked one and allowed one hit in 5.2 innings pitched and had thrown 72 pitches (50 strikes).
After the game, in an on-the-field interview with Brad Adam of MarinersTV, Miller said the piggyback setup was "not very comfortable."
Castillo was also not satisfied with his pull. The three-time All-Star, who's earned the nickname of "The Rock" in his career for his steady hand under pressure, showed rare frustration and had a spirited conversation with manager Dan Wilson.
Castillo also seemed resigned to the current situation in his postgame comments, saying they "had to respect what the decision was."
Neither pitcher has had the seasons they envisioned going into spring. Miller didn't make his season debut until May 13 due to a left oblique strain. Castillo entered his start Monday with an ERA above 6.00 (it dropped to 5.90 after his latest outing).
For two pitchers looking to get back on track, not being able to ride out a successful outing or fail on their own merit is frustrating.
It's still uncertain whether the piggyback situation will be permanent going forward, but it's clear that neither pitcher wants it to continue.
However, that would place the M's in a rough spot to either burn a roster spot going with a six-man rotation or moving one to the bullpen.
It's a no-win situation for almost everyone, and a decision has to be made one way or the other as the team looks to find its footing again in the race.
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