Kirby Strikes Out Nine in 5 Innings as Mariners Defeat A’s 4-2
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — George Kirby impressed with nine strikeouts in five innings, leading the Seattle Mariners to a 4-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night. The win marked Kirby’s first in nearly a month, as the Mariners continue their strong performance under manager Scott Servais.
Josh Rojas stood out with three hits, while Luke Raley contributed two hits and an RBI, and Ty France drove in two runs, propelling the AL West-leading Mariners to their fourth straight win and eighth win in nine games.
Reflecting on the team’s success, Kirby stated, “I feel like we’re starting to hit a stride but we still got so much room to do better. We’re pitching well, we’re hitting well. We’ve got a good team. It’s about time.”
Abraham Toro and JJ Bleday made notable contributions for Oakland, but the A’s suffered their fifth loss in six games. The game drew a low crowd of 5,624 at the Coliseum, contrasting with the sellout crowd of more than 4,200 for the Oakland Ballers, an independent minor league club formed in response to the A’s potential relocation to Las Vegas.
Kirby’s strong performance on the mound, allowing only two runs on six hits, showcased his efficiency and skill as a pitcher. Mariners relievers sealed the victory with scoreless innings, despite some late-game challenges.
Manager Mark Kotsay of the A’s acknowledged the Mariners’ pitching prowess, noting, “Their pitching staff is one of the better pitching staffs in the league. I thought we did a pretty darn good job against Kirby. But at the end of the day, we couldn’t get the big hit.”
The Mariners capitalized on Mitch Spence’s pitching, securing three runs in the third inning. France played a key role with two RBIs, followed by Raley’s double that brought in another run. Rojas’ two-out infield single extended the Mariners’ lead and solidified their offensive momentum.
Looking ahead, the Mariners announced the signing of outfielder Victor Robles, adding depth to their roster. In terms of injuries, both teams made adjustments to their rosters to address various player concerns.
With the upcoming matchup between Mariners’ Logan Gilbert and A’s Joey Estes, the competition remains intense as both teams aim for a decisive victory in the series.
Stay tuned for more updates and action-packed games in Major League Baseball.
