Mariners avoid being swept by Yankees with thrilling win behind George Kirby’s electric performance
By Bel Garcia, edited by Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - The Seattle Mariners have ended a 10 game homestand on a 7-3 record after a close win against the New York Yankees in game 3 of the series. Two of their losses came from the first two games against the Yankees, but they avoided the sweep with a comeback game from George Kirby. Another difference between this game in comparison to the first two match ups against the NY was the defensive effort. The Yankees racked up the score on the Mariners, but Seattle adjusted their defensive effort and had some impressive saves late in the game to keep this one at a scoreless tie.
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby pitched an excellent eight inning shutout before Paul Sewald came in to hold the ninth inning down (Photos by Mathew Bermudez)
Kirby’s Strike Stacker
George Kirby got his start on the mound again, a few games after an unusual game that needed some redemption. The 25-year-old right hander made his 11th start of the season, but first career start against New York. Prior to the game that broke his streak, Kirby had pitched 8 consecutive quality starts, the longest streak of his career. Today, George Kirby looked nothing but flawless and composed. In a shutout 8 innings, Kirby held the Yankees to only 3 hits, tallying 7 strikeouts and meeting a career high number of innings pitched. He was fired up in the middle of the eighth inning as he walked back to the dugout and was received with praise from the coaching staff and his teammates.
Seattle Mariners shortstop JP Crawford continues to have a strong defensive year (Photos by Mathew Bermudez)
Defensive demonstration
J.P Crawford put his imprint on the game early with the first hit of the game, but most impressive were the defensive stops that Seattle was able to provide to keep the Yankees at arm’s length. Crawford stopped a momentum shift in the top of the sixth inning. He caught some air for the catch on a line drive from Torres, that was just off to his right to prevent Aaron Judge from taking his turn at bat with runners on base. The defense was contagious, outfielders Kelenic and Rodriguez also had some long ball catches in the top of the seventh to keep the game at a scoreless tie. Rodriguez made the leap into the center field wall, giving the Yankees their third out and progressing the game with goose eggs.
A Wednesday night baseball game at T-Mobile Park in front of 24K fans needed an extra inning to decide the winner. Paul Sewald relieved George Kirby in the top of the ninth, an intentional walk on Aaron Judge, and no hits gave the Mariners a chance at a win. Things got a bit shaky in the top of the tenth inning with Topa on the mound and a fielding error committed by Crawford that resulted in LaMehieu safe at first and Cabrera on third. Bauers loaded the bases for the Yankees, but the Mariners defense grounded out the next hitter avoiding any damage. Topa redeemed himself with a strikeout and turned it over to his offense. Mariners’ Caballero was the runner on base to begin the extra inning; a Raleigh single to right field brought him home for the 1-0 walk-off win, their second of the season.
Cal Raleigh’s hit to right field scoring Jose Caballero, giving the Mariners a walk-off win to avoid being swept (Photos by Mathew Bermudez)
Seattle now embarks on a 11-day, 8 game road trip. They will make their way to Texas, San Diego, and Los Angeles. After a well-deserved off day, they begin the road trip with La Piedra on the mound against the Texas Rangers on Friday, 6/2.