Julio Rodríguez hit a two-run home run, his second in three games, while George Kirby pitched six innings, allowing just one unearned run as the Seattle Mariners held off the Texas Rangers 7-5 on Saturday.
Seattle continued their strong form, winning for the sixth time in seven games and extending their home series winning streak to nine since mid-April. The Mariners also widened their lead over the Rangers in the AL West to 7 1/2 games, their largest division lead since June 18, 2003.
“They’re a solid team, and they were competitive last year. They’re playing well,” said Texas manager Bruce Bochy. “They have a strong pitching staff, and you have to execute your best against them.”
Kirby (6-5) didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning and relied heavily on his fastball, giving up just three hits in his six innings of work. He closed his outing by striking out the side in the sixth inning.
“I was a bit wild at times, and those two walks were frustrating,” Kirby commented. “But I focused when I needed to.”
Rodríguez had previously hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox, showing improved power after a slow start to the season. Against Texas starter Nathan Eovaldi (3-3), Rodríguez crushed a 1-2 cutter an estimated 412 feet for his seventh homer, giving the Mariners a 3-0 lead in the third inning.
Dominic Canzone contributed with a two-out RBI single later in the third, and Cal Raleigh drove in a run with a single in the first inning, forcing the Rangers’ starter out after just three innings.
Josh Rojas hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, his first since April 28, and added a two-run single in the eighth, making it crucial due to a shaky ninth inning from Seattle’s bullpen.
