Daniel Kramer

Emerson Hancock's ascent this season was encapsulated in tonight's start here in Sacramento. He worked back into counts, escaped jams and made on-the-fly gameplan adjustments. "He's a stud, man." mlb.com/news/emerson-h…

Communication, or a lack thereof, has been the clearest source of frustration for Bryce Miller and Luis Castillo in the piggyback situation. Here's how decision-makers addressed it with each today -- and the plans for the strategy moving forward... mlb.com/news/mariners-…

That’s 12 up and 12 down for Emerson Hancock, who’s at just 37 pitches through the 4th inning. And he’s operating with a four-run lead, as Seattle's bats have jumped on left-hander Gage Jump for nine hits and one walk after going 1-2-3 in the 1st.

Another update for the Mariners’ gameplanning here in Sacramento… LHP Jeffrey Springs will start for the A’s in tomorrow’s series finale. RHP Luis Severino, who was initially slated to start tonight but was replaced by LHP Gage Jump, was pushed from this series altogether.

Update on the A’s pitching plans tonight… The hard-throwing lefty is their No. 3 prospect and No. 41 overall by @MLBPipeline. This will be his MLB debut.

Mariners roster move… Gabe Speier had been reinstated from the 15-day IL after recovering from left shoulder inflammation. Nick Davila had been optioned to Triple-A Tacoma in a corresponding move.

The Mariners cruised to a much-needed win tonight here in Sacramento. But it came with more drama within this tandem turn through the rotation, featuring Luis Castillo and Bryce Miller. “This is not an easy science, the piggyback thing.” mlb.com/news/luis-cast…

Dan Wilson on Luis Castillo: “There's not an easy science, the piggyback thing. And I think, always, you're kind of weighing a lot of different things. And a tough decision in terms of 'The Rock,' and I think he just continues to prove to be an incredibly selfless player.”

Another look at Luis Castillo after learning that his night was done. Can’t recall ever seeing this kind of frustration in his nearly four years with the Mariners. "We knew that was part of the plan, and you've got to respect what his decision was."

Randy Arozarena, full stop-and-stare after No. 6 -- which has blown this one open even more. Exit velo: 104.1 mph Launch angle: 30° Distance: 437 ft. Hang time: 5.3 seconds

Luis Castillo’s night is done after clearing the 4th inning, scoreless -- paving way for Bryce Miller to take over in this second go-round at their piggyback. That followed what appeared to be a pretty candid exchange from Castillo to Dan Wilson in the dugout.

That’s another error from J.P. Crawford -- his fifth of the season -- on a chopper that he fielded behind second base. He had one very similar yesterday in Kansas City.

J.P. Crawford goes straightaway against a first-pitch splitter for No. 7 of the season. Exit velo: 101.0 mph Launch angle: 26° Distance: 414 ft. Hang time: 5.1 seconds

A solid escape from Luis Castillo here in the 3rd inning... With runners on the corners, he K’s Shea Langeliers and Brent Rooker back-to-back to get out of it. And ✊

Full breakdown of the six-spot from the Mariners in the 3rd inning here in Sacramento... The two homers were huge, but just as key was the traffic that preceded them.

Josh Naylor and the Mariners take advantage of a high throw on a would-be, inning-ending double play -- and that will put them on the board here in the 3rd. Colt Emerson scores, after drawing a leadoff walk then going first-to-third on a single from Julio Rodríguez.

The latest on Cal Raleigh, who has begun baseball activity for the first time since being placed on the IL... mlb.com/news/cal-ralei…

Gabe Speier (left shoulder inflammation) has joined the Mariners here in Sacramento and reported positives after a few Minors rehab outings. He hasn’t been officially activated, but could happen “soon,” per Dan Wilson.

Cal Raleigh was slated for light catch play today, Dan Wilson just said. That represents his first baseball activity since he was placed on the IL. No timeline yet on his return, but sounds like he’ll remain in Arizona rehabbing for at least a little while longer.

The reality of this Mariners' situation right now has been inevitable for weeks -- that not everyone involved is going to be happy about it. Another reality is that the roster’s architects are trying the best they can with what they have. mlb.com/news/mariners-…