Mariners lose 2-0 to the Twins on June 26, 2025, wasting a brilliant Luis Castillo start. See how the bats went cold and what the loss means for Seattle.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you thought the Mariners were building some momentum, the bats went completely cold. A promising three-game win streak came to a screeching halt in Minneapolis on Thursday as the M's were shut out 2-0 by the Minnesota Twins, wasting a strong start from Luis Castillo and falling back to a frustrating 41-39 on the season.
The offense was limited to just 4 hits, with Julio Rodríguez recording an infield single in the sixth for the team's only real scoring threat.
It was a classic case of 'good pitching, no hitting' for the Mariners. Luis Castillo was solid on the mound, battling for 6.2 innings and giving up just two runs while striking out eight. It was the kind of performance that should win you a ballgame. Unfortunately, the offense couldn't have been quieter. Twins starter Joe Ryan was absolutely dominant, carving up the Seattle lineup for seven shutout innings with nine strikeouts. The Mariners mustered only four hits all day, with their best chance coming on a Julio Rodríguez infield single in the sixth. But just as quickly as the threat appeared, it was extinguished, as Ryan struck out the next three batters to end the inning and any hope of a rally.
The day's news wasn't confined to the diamond. Before the game, the Mariners made a significant roster move, placing veteran first baseman Rowdy Tellez on unconditional release waivers. Tellez, who signed a minor league deal in the offseason, struggled to find consistency, hitting .208 with 11 homers in 62 games. The move signals the team's confidence in the returning Luke Raley and the recently improved play from Dominic Canzone, effectively closing the book on the Tellez experiment in Seattle. The eight-year MLB veteran is now a free agent.
While the big league club struggled for power, there's plenty of it brewing in the farm system. Top prospect Lazaro Montes, the organization's No. 2 ranked player, is on an absolute tear for High-A Everett. The young slugger launched his fourth home run in as many games earlier this week, showcasing the kind of game-changing power fans are dreaming of seeing at T-Mobile Park. As the first half of the minor league season wraps up, Montes is firmly establishing himself as one of the most exciting bats in the entire system.
It was a frustrating end to the series in Minnesota, and the shutout loss serves as a stark reminder of this team's offensive volatility. With Rowdy Tellez gone and the team hovering just above .500, the pressure is on the current lineup to find consistency. As the M's head home, they'll need to shake this one off quickly and hope some of that Lazaro Montes power can find its way to the big league club, and soon.
