The Seattle Mariners continued their September surge with a 2-0 road victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday at Kauffman Stadium, moving into a tie with the Houston Astros atop the American League West. Their next three-game series against Houston, beginning Friday night at T-Mobile Park, will be crucial. Seattle has gone 20-3 over their last 23 home games at the ballpark, the best 23-game home stretch in franchise history.

Seattle starter Luis Castillo conjured a masterful performance, pitching six innings of three-hit, scoreless ball without issuing a walk. Castillo, now 10-8 on the season, struck out three while keeping hitters off balance with a combination of four-seamers, sinkers, sliders, and changeups.

His fastball, noted for being in the 83rd percentile for Fastbal

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