Mariners' George Kirby: Finishes year in fine form
Rotowire
Kirby (13-10) allowed three hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over six shutout innings to earn the win Sunday versus the Rangers.
While the Mariners came up short in pursuit of a playoff spot, Kirby still took the hill and turned in a gem for his final start of the year. He won his last three starts of the campaign, allowing just three runs over 19 innings in that span. The 25-year-old right-hander ends 2023 with a strong 3.35 ERA as well as a 1.04 WHIP and 165:19 K:BB over 190.2 innings across 31 starts. His 0.9 BB/9 was by far the best among qualified starters this season -- Tampa Bay's Zach Eflin was next closest with a 1.2 BB/9.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Throws six scoreless innings in win
Rotowire
Kirby (12-10) allowed five hits and a walk while striking out four over six scoreless innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Astros.
Kirby's dominant performance was particularly timely, given the postseason stakes at play. This was his first scoreless outing since Aug. 12, and he'd given up at least three runs in each of his last six starts. With Tuesday's effort, the right-hander lowered his ERA to 3.46 with a 1.06 WHIP and 165:19 K:BB through 184.2 innings over 30 starts this season. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for the Mariners, who remain in contention for a playoff spot and the AL West title. Kirby is projected for a start this weekend versus the Rangers, one he'll almost certainly make if the Mariners aren't eliminated before his turn comes up again.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Shaky versus Dodgers
Rotowire
Kirby (10-10) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven over six innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Dodgers.
Kirby has allowed 19 runs (18 earned) across 27 innings over his last five starts. This was also the second start in a row in which he's issued multiple walks, something he's done only four times all year. The rough patch has him up to a 3.57 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 158:18 K:BB through 171.2 innings over 28 starts overall. Kirby is projected for a favorable road start in Oakland next week.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Chased after three innings
Rotowire
Kirby (10-9) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits over three innings against the Mets. He struck out three.
Kirby struggled to get through the Mets lineup, throwing 73 pitches across three frames before being pulled. The outing marked Kirby's shortest start of the season. The 25-year-old is in the midst of a rough patch, having allowed 11 runs across his last three appearances (14.2 innings) while being tagged for a home run in each outing. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to come Friday at Tampa Bay.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Allows four runs in no-decision
Rotowire
Kirby did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing four runs on eight hits over six innings against the Royals. He struck out two.
Kirby pitched well for most of the afternoon, allowing one run over the first five innings before four consecutive hits and a sac fly led to three more runs coming across for Kansas City in the sixth. Kirby had allowed one or fewer runs in each of his previous three starts coming in, while his two strikeouts on the afternoon matched his season low. He now holds a 2.05 ERA through three August starts and has not issued a walk over that stretch.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Excellent in win
Rotowire
Kirby (10-8) allowed a run on three hits and struck out five without walking a batter over seven innings to earn the win Saturday over the Angels.
The lone blemish on Kirby's line was a Randal Grichuk solo home run in the third inning. This was a return to Kirby's impeccable control -- he'd issued eight walks over his last seven starts, an unusually high mark for the right-hander. He's logged 16 quality starts in 22 outings this season, pitching to a 3.32 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 124:14 K:BB through 135.2 innings on the year. Kirby is projected for a difficult home start versus the Orioles next weekend.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Solid in no-decision
Rotowire
Kirby took a no-decision after allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings during Monday's 6-2 win over the Red Sox.
Kirby was solid but inefficient, needing 97 pitches (63 strikes) to get through five frames. Monday's game marked just the second time all season Kirby has allowed multiple walks in a start. He had a couple of rough starts in July, but he's still at a 3.43 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 119:14 K:BB through 128.2 innings across 21 starts this season. Kirby is lined up for a road start versus the Angels over the weekend.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Struggles against Twins
Rotowire
Kirby did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk over four innings against Minnesota. He struck out nine.
Kirby couldn't contain Minnesota, serving up four total extra-base hits including a two-run homer to Matt Wallner in the first frame. The outing marked Kirby's first time not reaching the fifth inning since June 7 (seven starts). The 25-year-old has endured a rollercoaster stretch of starts, having allowed at least five runs in two of his last four starts while giving up a combined one run during the other two. However, he still owns a solid 3.49 ERA to go along with a 112:12 K:BB through 123.2 innings in 2023.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Dominant in ninth win
Rotowire
Kirby (9-8) earned the win Thursday, allowing four hits over seven scoreless innings in a 5-0 win over the Twins. He struck out 10.
Kirby made easy work of the Twins on Thursday, matching a season-high with 10 strikeouts while delivering his fourth scoreless outing of the year. It was quite a bounce-back performance from the 25-year-old right-hander after he allowed six runs in his last outing, a loss to the Tigers. Kirby's ERA is now down to 3.23 with a 1.04 WHIP and a league-best 8.45 K/BB. Kirby will look to keep rolling in his next outing, currently lined up as a rematch with the Twins in Minnesota.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Struggles Saturday
Rotowire
Kirby (8-8) allowed six runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Tigers.
Kirby strung together five straight quality starts heading into the All-Star break, but he didn't fare well in his first outing of the second half. The right-hander gave up four of the runs on a pair of homers from Kerry Carpenter, making this just the second time in 18 appearances Kirby's allowed multiple long balls. He has a 3.43 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 93:11 K:BB through 112.2 innings. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Twins.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Earns seventh win
Rotowire
Kirby (7-7) allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out seven over seven innings to earn the win Saturday over the Rays.
Kirby didn't allow a hit until the sixth inning, when he gave up a double to Yandy Diaz and a home run to Luke Raley. Aside from those minor missteps, Kirby turned in another strong outing for his fourth consecutive quality start. This was the first time he's walked multiple batters in a start this year. The right-hander has allowed nine runs (seven earned) over 26.1 innings in that span. For the season, he owns a 3.21 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 86:9 K:BB through 101 innings across 16 starts. Kirby is projected for another challenging start on the road in Houston next week.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Takes loss despite strong outing
Rotowire
Kirby (6-7) took the loss Sunday, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and one walk over 6.1 innings against the Orioles. He struck out four.
For the second straight appearance, Kirby added a tally to the loss column while also finishing with a quality start. Most of the damage against Kirby came in the third frame, when Anthony Santander launched a two-run homer that plated Jorge Mateo. Despite being tied for the eighth most losses in MLB, Kirby holds a strong 3.26 ERA on the year and has given up just five earned runs over his last three starts (19.1 innings). He is tentatively scheduled to toe the rubber again during a home series versus the Rays next weekend.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Takes loss despite quality start
Rotowire
Kirby (6-6) took the loss against the Yankees on Tuesday, allowing three earned runs on eight hits over seven innings. He struck out four.
Kirby had the misfortune of being opposed by a razor-sharp Gerrit Cole, who was a tad more effective than the young right-hander and ensured his opposite number didn't get sufficient run support. There was still plenty to be optimistic about from Kirby's perspective, considering he worked 67 of his 95 offerings into the strike zone and was primarily done in by just one pitch, a 96 mph sinker Billy McKinney deposited 432 feet away with Harrison Bader aboard. The outing marked Kirby's second straight quality start and third such effort in his last four trips to the mound.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Hit hard in San Diego
Rotowire
Kirby (5-5) took the loss Wednesday, allowing five runs on 11 hits over 3.2 innings against the Padres. He struck out three.
It was a rough outing for Kirby after he allowed just three hits in eight scoreless innings in his last outing against the Yankees. The 25-year-old right-hander has a 5.79 ERA over his last four starts after pitching to a 2.45 mark in his first eight outings. Overall, Kirby's ERA is up to 3.50 with a 1.11 WHIP and a still-outstanding 61:6 K:BB through 74.2 innings this season. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, currently lined up for next week against the Marlins.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Rebounds with dazzling start
Rotowire
Kirby took a no-decision while tossing eight scoreless innings Wednesday in a 1-0 win over the Yankees in 10 innings. He allowed just three hits and no walks and struck out seven.
Kirby put together a spectacular performance after he was roughed up by the Pirates the last time he took the mound. The 25-year-old was touching 99 miles per hour with his fastball and showed off his impeccable command of his entire arsenal of pitches. Wednesday marked the third time this season he's reached seven strikeouts in an outing and the fifth time he's gone without walking a batter. He has just six walks through 71 innings and leads all of baseball with a 9.67 K/BB to go with a 3.04 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. Kirby lines up to go toe-to-toe with the Padres on the road next week.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Hit hard by Pirates
Rotowire
Kirby (5-4) took the loss Friday versus the Pirates, allowing seven runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out four over 4.2 innings.
Kirby came into this start having allowed just three homers in his first nine outings. The Pirates then launched four long balls off him, including Andrew McCutchen's blast on the second pitch of the game. This was Kirby's worst start of the season, and the second time he's given up four homers over his 35 career starts. The right-hander's ERA rose to 3.43 with a 1.10 WHIP and 51:6 K:BB across 63 innings. He hasn't had many disasters like this, though he is lined up for a challenging home start versus the Yankees next week as he looks to bounce back.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Takes loss despite quality start
Rotowire
Kirby (5-3) took the loss Sunday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over seven innings during a 3-2 loss to Atlanta. He struck out six.
Kirby allowed a run in the first, third and sixth en route to taking the loss but still completed at least seven innings for the fourth time over his past five outings. He also extended his quality-start streak to eight consecutive contests and currently holds a 2.62 ERA and 47:5 K:BB over 58.1 innings. Kirby will look to stay sharp during his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for the first contest of a three-game weekend set versus Pittsburgh.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Extends quality-start streak
Rotowire
Kirby (5-2) earned the win over Boston on Monday, allowing one run on eight hits and one walk while striking out six batters over 6.2 innings.
Kirby got through five scoreless frames before the Red Sox tagged him for a run in the sixth. He finished off that inning and got two more outs in the seventh before being lifted with two runners on base after tossing 97 pitches (66 strikes). Kirby fell one out shy of extending his three-game streak of throwing at least seven frames, but he did stretch his run of quality starts to seven consecutive contests. He's pitching like an All-Star this season with five wins along with a 2.45 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 41:4 K:BB through eight starts.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Pitches seven shutout innings
Rotowire
Kirby (4-2) scattered six hits and struck out nine batters over seven shutout innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Rangers.
Kirby threw 75 of 101 pitches for strikes, which included a solid 11 whiffs. The nine strikeouts were a season high for Kirby in what was his sixth straight quality start. He's gone at least seven innings in each of his last three outings. For the season, he owns a 2.62 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 35:3 K:BB over 44.2 innings through seven starts. He'll look to keep rolling in his next turn, tentatively projected to be a road start in Boston next week.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' George Kirby: Earns third win
Rotowire
Kirby (3-2) allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out two over seven innings to earn the win Thursday over the Athletics.
It was a fifth straight quality start for Kirby, who bounced back from a tough-luck loss in his last outing versus the Phillies. While it was a solid performance, the two strikeouts were a season low for the right-hander. He's at a solid 3.11 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 26:3 K:BB across 37.2 innings over six starts, again displaying excellent control. Kirby's next start is projected to be at home versus the Rangers next week.
