Mariners' Luis Castillo reaches 1,500 career strikeouts against Yankees' Aaron Judge

Veteran right-hander Castillo pitches six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts in Seattle's series opener against New York.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:25am

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Seattle Mariners pitcher Luis Castillo reached a major career milestone on Friday night, recording his 1,500th career strikeout against reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge in the sixth inning of the team's game against the New York Yankees. Castillo pitched six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts, helping the Mariners take an early lead in the series opener.

Why it matters

Castillo's accomplishment is a significant feat, as only 234 pitchers in MLB history have reached the 1,500 strikeout mark. The Mariners are hoping Castillo's strong start to the season will help propel them back to the postseason after coming up just short last year.

The details

With one out in the sixth inning and the Mariners leading 1-0, Castillo faced off against Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. On a 3-2 count, Castillo struck out Judge swinging on an inside breaking ball, recording his 1,500th career strikeout. Castillo allowed just two hits and two walks over his six scoreless innings, throwing 92 pitches before being removed from the game.

  • Castillo recorded his 1,500th strikeout in the sixth inning on March 31, 2026.
  • The Mariners and Yankees were tied 1-1 in the bottom of the ninth inning at the time of writing.

The players

Luis Castillo

A veteran right-handed pitcher for the Seattle Mariners who reached the 1,500 career strikeout milestone in Friday's game against the Yankees.

Aaron Judge

The reigning American League MVP and star outfielder for the New York Yankees, who was struck out by Castillo for his 1,500th career K.

Randy Arozarena

The Mariners outfielder who drove in the team's lone run with an RBI in the second inning.

Ben Rice

The Yankees player who tied the game 1-1 with an RBI in the seventh inning after Castillo exited the game.

Cal Raleigh

The Mariners catcher who has struggled to start the season.

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What they’re saying

“1500!”

— ClutchPoints

What’s next

The Mariners and Yankees will continue their three-game series on Saturday, with the Mariners looking to take the series lead after Friday's tie game.

The takeaway

Castillo's 1,500th career strikeout is a significant milestone that highlights his consistency and dominance as a starting pitcher over his MLB career. The Mariners will need Castillo to continue pitching at a high level if they hope to return to the postseason and make another run at the World Series.