Guardians rookie Kahlil Watson, Mariners arrive in Cleveland

Kahlil Watson essentially was the Guardians' offense during Cleveland's three-game road series against the Chicago White Sox this week.

The rookie outfielder looks to continue his hot stretch Friday as Cleveland opens a 10-game homestand with the beginning of a three-game set against the Seattle Mariners.

Guardians left-hander Joey Cantillo (6-3, 4.05 ERA) takes on Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo (2-6, 5.22) in a battle of two of the five American League teams with non-losing records.

Watson, who made his major league debut June 18 against the Brewers in Milwaukee, is looking forward to his first home game in Cleveland after seven road games to start his career.

"Come on out and watch us," he said. "We're going to keep playing."

Injuries to All-Star Jose Ramirez (left hamate bone fracture), Chase DeLauter (rib fracture) and Angel Martinez (left foot fracture) opened the door for Watson to be promoted from Triple-A Columbus on June 17.

Watson went 12 at-bats without a hit to begin his career before breaking out with six RBIs in three games against the White Sox. He batted .556 (5-for-9) in the series, hitting his first homer on Tuesday and delivering his initial game-winning hit on Wednesday.

Watson's 10th-inning RBI single gave Cleveland a 4-3 victory in the series finale, moving the Guardians into a virtual first-place tie in the AL Central with upstart Chicago.

Watson drove in three runs and had two hits in the contest.

"I was trusting the process," he said. "It was only a matter of time before I started clicking.

"When you get in big moments, you just try to put the bat on the ball."

Watson's extra-inning hit prevented the White Sox from sweeping the set. It also gave the Guardians a 3-6 record on their road trip that began after Ramirez, DeLauter and Martinez were all hurt June 13 against the Detroit Tigers.

"Kahlil had had a great series," Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. "It was really fun to see him catching his stride a little bit."

Watson next will attempt to provide support for Cantillo. The lefty has been sharp in his past two starts, beating Detroit and the Houston Astros while striking out 13 and yielding just two runs over 13 total innings.

Cantillo made his only previous appearance against the Mariners on March 28, when he went 3 2/3 innings and allowed two runs in a no-decision at Seattle.

The Mariners remain atop the AL West, even after falling to .500 with a 5-1 road loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday. Bryce Miller tied his career high with 11 strikeouts but gave up two costly homers.

"It was a tough one today," Seattle manager Dan Wilson said. "It's a frustrating loss for everybody, that's for sure."

Offensive woes have been a lingering theme for the Mariners, who have gone 11 straight games without scoring more than three runs. They went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position in the afternoon finale at Pittsburgh.

J.P. Crawford's fifth-inning single was the only success, scoring Mitch Garver.

"We had some opportunities offensively where we got guys on base and hit the ball hard, but it would go right at them," Wilson said. "Or they were making great plays."

Castillo has bounced between the bullpen and rotation, posting a 1-5 record and 5.16 ERA in 12 starts while the front office debates his future with the franchise.

The 33-year-old veteran, who is signed through 2027, is 1-5 with a 4.75 ERA in 10 career appearances (all starts) against Cleveland.

Castillo has pitched against the Guardians every year since 2019, but the only time he beat them was in 2022.

--Field Level Media