The Seattle Mariners won their first playoff game in 20 years on Friday night, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 4-0 on the road and taking a 1-0 lead in the AL Wild Card Series. They can credit the dominant pitching by starter Luis Castillo and reliever Andrés Muñoz for making it look almost easy.
Luis Castillo strikes out the side. He's dealing vs the Blue Jays through 7. ⚾️🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/9mA3wGN1ty
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 7, 2022
Castillo put on a show for 7 1/3 innings, giving up six hits and no runs while becoming the first pitcher in team history to throw seven scoreless innings in the playoffs. Muñoz came in during the eighth and finished things off in the ninth to get the save. While some might have questioned taking Castillo out of the game given how well he was doing, Muñoz justified the move as soon as he delivered a 103 MPH pitch against Vlad Guerrero Jr. that was so impressive even the Blue Jays slugger had to admire it.
Andrés Muñoz, 103mph ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/RRwvOo2H51
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 7, 2022
It’s not often you see a hitter let a pitcher know that his stuff is impressive mid-bat, especially during the playoffs, but it’s hard to argue with the truth.
And clearly, the MLB world didn’t disagree with the power of the pitch and the hilarity of Vlad’s response.
vlad jr just nodding like oh okay then that’s what we’re doing https://t.co/GoQMEYqJVz
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) October 7, 2022
Vladdy Jr "ok, man." https://t.co/l9VBeiiKqI
— Colin Durant (@CGDurant) October 7, 2022
Fastest MLB postseason pitch in FIVE YEARS! 🔥⛽️🔥 https://t.co/Rf4pg4k5V6
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) October 7, 2022
Audibly yelped like Mel Blanc in Looney Tunes when I saw this live https://t.co/lbCUJV2LH3
— Fitzy Mo Peña (@FitzyMoPena) October 7, 2022
Good luck to all the batters who have to stare that down in the MLB playoffs this year.
