Mariners' George Kirby: Impressive nine-strikeout effort
Rotowire
Kirby (5-5) got the win over the Athletics on Tuesday, recording nine strikeouts while allowing two earned runs on six hits and a walk over five-plus innings.
The right-hander had his swing-and-miss stuff in prime form for the second consecutive start, one-upping his eight-strikeout tally against the Astros last Wednesday. The two runs on Kirby's ledger came about through relatively innocuous means, with Abraham Toro getting to him with an RBI single in the third and Austin Voth conceding an RBI groundout to inherited runner Shea Langeliers upon entering for Kirby in the sixth. Kirby's last two strikeout-heavy outings have come on the heels of back-to-back starts where he gave up five runs apiece to the Nationals and Orioles, giving him some momentum heading into a projected tussle with the improved Royals at home on Sunday.
Kirby did not factor into the decision in a win over the Astros on Wednesday, allowing one run on six hits over six innings while striking out eight.
Kirby retired the first eight batters he faced to open the contest and didn't allow an extra-base hit over his six innings of work. The right-hander induced 15 swings and misses on the night en route to posting his highest strikeout total in his last six starts. He's now gone six or more innings in four consecutive outings, though he's posted quality starts in only two of those appearances. Kirby has also walked only two batters over six starts in May.
Kirby (4-5) took the loss Friday against the Nationals, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out three.
Kirby was hurt by the home-run ball Friday, with all five runs coming on a pair of long balls. The 26-year-old Kirby's hit a rough patch recently, allowing four or more runs in three of his last four outings. His ERA is up to 4.33 despite a solid 1.03 WHIP and 57:6 K:BB over 11 starts (62.1 innings). Kirby will look to get back on track in his next outing, currently lined up for next week at home against the Astros.
Kirby (4-4) suffered the loss Sunday against the Orioles, allowing five runs on nine hits over six innings. He struck out three.
Kirby was tagged for a solo homer by Gunnar Henderson to lead off the game and eventually allowed five runs and two homers through three innings before settling down and making it through six frames with no additional damage. It was the first time in seven starts Kirby has allowed more than five hits, while the five earned runs lifted Kirby's ERA to 3.99 over 56.1 innings and 5.19 over 26 innings on the road. Kirby's next start is also slated to take place on the road, though in a much friendlier matchup, as he's tentatively lined up to take on the Nationals in Washington next weekend.
