SEATTLE (AP) — Luis Castillo struck out eight in six innings of two-hit ball and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 5-1 to keep pace with the Toronto Blue Jays in their bid to host an AL wild-card series. Castillo retired 16 in a row to help Seattle to its fourth consecutive win, after two straight mediocre starts in which he gave up nine earned runs. The right-hander settled down after giving up two quick hits and a walk in the first inning to fall behind 1-0 — about 12 hours after most Mariners left the ballpark after clinching the club’s first playoff appearance in 21 years. Castillo’s next outing will be in the playoffs.
Castillo strikes out 8, surging Mariners drop A’s 5-1
