Hernández, Pollock both homer twice as Mariners rout Angels 11-2
Teoscar Hernández and AJ Pollock each hit two homers, combining to drive in nine runs as the Seattle Mariners beat the Los Angeles Angels 11-2 on Tuesday night.
Luis Castillo (1-0) turned in a second consecutive strong outing, allowing two hits and striking out six in 5 2/3 shutout innings. The right-hander has permitted three hits and struck out 12 in 11 2/3 scoreless innings, starting both of Seattle's wins this season.
Castillo gave up a leadoff single to Taylor Ward and then retired his next eight batters. The only other hit off him was a fifth-inning double by Brandon Drury.
"Hats off to (Castillo). He's in total control," Mariners manager Scott Servais said. "Got after it early, really located the fastball. Maybe not the best slider that he's had tonight, just couldn't really get a feel for that, but the fastball was dominant at the top of the zone and a really good changeup to go along with it. So, great outing by him."
Seattle stopped a four-game skid and snapped the Angels' three-game winning streak.
"I just came in with the same mentality of going out there and giving everything that my body and arm can give to break this negative streak that we've had," Castillo said. "Luckily today I was able to perform well and give this team a victory."
Hernández hit a solo homer in the fourth and a three-run shot in the fifth off starter Jose Suarez (0-1) to put the Mariners up 6-0. It was Hernandez's 15th multi-homer game, and it came after he opened the season 1 for 17.
Acquired from Toronto in a trade, Hernández was Seattle's biggest offseason addition.
"I wanted to do things to help the team. I wasn't doing that, and things weren't going the way I wanted them to go," he said. "I finally (made) some adjustments. My timing, it's a little better, it's getting better. Even when I was missing a lot, I was getting something positive from it. And today, I showed it."
Pollock's two-run homers off reliever Jaime Barria came in the fifth and seventh, with the second one giving the Mariners an 11-run lead. Pollock finished with five RBIs.
Barria allowed four runs over 3 2/3 innings.
"I thought he did a good job finishing the game for us," Angels manager Phil Nevin said. "We saved our bullpen."
Julio Rodriguez scored in the first inning on a wild pitch and doubled twice as the Mariners racked up 13 hits.
The Angels' runs came in the eighth on Hunter Renfroe's RBI single and a sacrifice fly that scored Mike Trout.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mariners: Utility player Dylan Moore (oblique) will start extended spring training Monday before heading out on a rehab assignment. Servais expects Moore back on the active roster sometime during Seattle's next homestand.
Angels: RHP Griffin Canning (groin) threw a bullpen Monday and will make a rehab start Thursday with Class A Inland Empire.
UP NEXT
Angels: RHP Shohei Ohtani starts Wednesday. The two-way superstar allowed two hits and struck out 10 over six shutout innings against Oakland on opening day.
Mariners: RHP Chris Flexen will make his first start of the season in place of injured LHP Robbie Ray.