George Kirby faced the minimum number of batters and allowed just one hit over seven impressive innings, leading the Seattle Mariners to a 7-0 victory over the Texas Rangers. This win secured a series victory for the Mariners and helped them stay in the AL West and wild-card races.
Mitch Garver hit a three-run home run in the first inning against his old team, and Randy Arozarena added a solo home run in the seventh. These homers helped Seattle stay four games behind the Astros in the AL West with 12 games remaining.
The Mariners will play Houston to complete a six-game road trip next weekend. They are tied with Detroit, 2 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Twins in the AL wild-card race.
“We’ve just got to keep winning,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “And that’s where we’re focused right now.”
Kirby (12-11) wasn’t overpowering, getting his first of three strikeouts in the fifth inning. But he was effective, forcing 11 groundouts and allowing just one hit, a single to Ezequiel Duran in the second inning.
The Mariners quickly erased that hit with a double play.
Kirby, along with relievers Trent Thornton and Eduard Bazardo, combined for a complete-game one-hitter. It was the first time since Felix Hernandez’s perfect game in 2012 that the Mariners had faced the minimum of 27 batters in a game. The three pitchers retired 22 straight batters after Duran’s hit.
“When we’re on, we’re on, man,” Kirby said. “Everyone in that bullpen, we’ve all got confidence in them to finish a game, and everyone just throws strikes really well.”
Kirby also contributed defensively, participating in four putouts, including a unique play in the fourth inning. Josh Smith hit a grounder that bounced off first baseman Justin Turner’s glove and directly to second baseman Dylan Moore. Moore quickly threw to Kirby, who made a feet-first leap to get the force out at first base.
