Gilbert grinds out 5 frames to earn 1st 'W'

ANAHEIM -- Mariners starter Logan Gilbert added another strong outing to his rookie campaign in Seattle’s series finale on Sunday.

Gilbert, the Mariners' No. 4 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, fell short of completing his second quality start, though he threw five innings and allowed just one run on two hits and four walks. His 105-pitch, seven-strikeout outing didn't have much distance, but it was enough to earn his first big league win in the Mariners' 9-5 triumph over the Halos at Angel Stadium.

Gilbert said earning his first win was special not just for him, but for his immediate family, including his parents and brother, who were in the stands at The Big A for the career milestone.

“It was awesome,” Gilbert said. “I got to talk to them after the game just for a minute there and see my dad and how excited the whole family was. … They were witnesses since the beginning, since I was 4 years old when I started. To be able to see this moment, it's special for me and the rest of my family.”

The most pivotal moment for Gilbert came in the fourth inning.

After notching back-to-back strikeouts, David Fletcher hit a two-out double and Justin Upton drew a walk, giving Gilbert the tough task of facing Shohei Ohtani. The rookie right-hander fell behind in the count 3-0, but he battled back and challenged the two-way star with two fastballs to get the count full before finishing off the six-pitch battle with a slider.

“Unfortunately, I fell behind, so [I] just made it more difficult on myself,” Gilbert said. “I came back with fastballs. [I had] to get back into the count and got into a situation where I can go to the slider again in a big count. It's just one of those situations where you just have to make [it], and, fortunately, it worked out.”

On a day that began with Gilbert giving up a leadoff home run to Justin Upton on his first pitch of the game, the righty finished his outing with an equally emphatic ending.

Gilbert recorded back-to-back strikeouts to end the fifth. The first came against left-handed-hitting Jared Walsh, who went down swinging on a 96.4 mph fastball to cap off a 10 pitch at-bat. Gilbert punctuated his day by setting down Juan Lagares on a slider.

Mariners manager Scott Servais said letting Gilbert get out of trouble and later finish the fifth as his pitch count surpassed 100 was a fundamental moment for a young pitcher.

“It's huge for the confidence,” Servais said. “There are days when they don't quite have it and you gotta get 'em out a little early, but there are days that they do and you can feel them growing. Let 'em go. Let 'em grow. That's what we're trying to do with all of our young players, not just Logan.”

In his last outing, Gilbert delivered his first quality start as he went six innings and allowed two runs against the A’s.

Following back-to-back impressive performances, Servais raved about Gilbert’s big-time potential.

“I thought his competitiveness late in his outing was outstanding,” Servais said. “That's what we're starting to get used to seeing. Once he settles in and gets going, like a lot of really good starting pitchers, it's tough to get him off track. Outstanding outing. He does, every time out, get a little bit better.”