Mariners’ Kirby dominates Red Sox in shutout win
SEATTLE (AP) — George Kirby allowed simply two hits and struck out eight in 6 2/3 innings, J.P. Crawford homered and the Seattle Mariners beat the Boston Red Sox 1-0 on Friday night time.
Kirby (1-0) opened his season with one other deep begin after a robust 2023. Last yr, he lasted at the very least six innings in 23 of his 31 begins.
“When he gets on a roll, it’s over. He just takes over the game, which is fun to watch,” Seattle supervisor Scott Servais stated. “He’s got a chance to have a really big year.”
Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta (0-1) practically matched Kirby. Pivetta allowed one run on three hits over six innings, hanging out 10 and not using a stroll. It was the second time in his profession he’s had at the very least 10 strikeouts and no walks, with the opposite additionally coming at Seattle on July 31 final yr.
Andrés Muñoz acquired the ultimate 4 outs to earn the save, the second four-out save of his profession.
The starters matched scoreless frames for the primary 5 innings.
Crawford broke the tie within the sixth inning, along with his shot down the right-field line simply staying contained in the pole.
“(Pivetta) had us off balance all night,” Crawford said. “Thankfully, he just left one kind of middle of the plate and I got a barrel to it.”
Kirby bumped into hassle within the opening inning, uncharacteristically strolling two of the primary three batters and permitting a runner to advance to 3rd on a wild pitch.
“I was a little amped up,” Kirby stated. “I kind of just focused on my breathing, settle in and try not to make the moment too big. Just go out there and throw strikes.”
He didn’t have any hassle after that, although, retiring 19 of the following 20 batters. That stretch ended on a two-out single by Ceddanne Rafaela within the seventh inning that completed Kirby’s night time.
“He’s one of the best pitchers in the league,” Boston supervisor Alex Cora stated. “He doesn’t walk people. He walks two in the first inning, we had a shot, we didn’t cash in, and after that he found his rhythm.”
Boston had runners in scoring place within the seventh and eighth innings.
Gabe Speier relieved Kirby and gave up a single to the following batter, pinch-hitter Pablo Reyes, to place runners on first and second earlier than ending the inning with a strikeout.
In the eighth, Ryne Stanek walked the leadoff batter and gave up a two-out single to Masataka Yoshida to place runners on first and third. Muñoz got here on and acquired out of the jam with a groundout earlier than hanging out the aspect within the ninth.
The Mariners loaded the bases with two outs within the eighth inning towards Josh Winckowski. Jorge Polanco lined out to first to finish the menace.
TRAINERS ROOM
Red Sox 3B Rafael Devers was scratched from the beginning lineup earlier than the sport with left shoulder soreness, and was changed by Bobby Dalbec.
Mariners DH Mitch Garver was additionally initially listed within the beginning lineup however was scratched earlier than the sport with again spasms and is day-to-day.
UP NEXT
Red Sox RHP Kutter Crawford was set to begin Saturday towards Mariners RHP Logan Gilbert.
