Kirby starts with record 24 straight strikes; Nats top M’s

SEATTLE (AP) — Mariners right-hander George Kirby set a significant league report by throwing 24 straight strikes to start out the sport and fellow Seattle rookie Julio Rodriguez reached a brand new degree, however Ildemaro Vargas hit a two-run homer within the ninth inning that lifted the Washington Nationals to a 3-1 win Wednesday.

Kirby gave up 5 hits and one run earlier than throwing his first ball to Joey Meneses within the third. Kirby topped the mark of 21 consecutive strikes to open by Joe Musgrove for Pittsburgh in opposition to St. Louis in 2018.

“I regarded up at 15 or 16, and I used to be like ‘Oh, man,’” Kirby mentioned.

Rodriguez hit his twentieth dwelling run, tying it at 1 within the eighth. The 21-year-old sensation who placed on fairly a present on the All-Star House Run Derby turned the fourth rookie in large league historical past with 20 dwelling runs and 20 stolen bases in the identical season, becoming a member of Mitchell Web page (1977 Athletics), Ellis Burks (1987 Pink Sox) and Marty Cordova (1995 Twins).

“I’m glad about it,” Rodriguez mentioned. “Not lots of people do it on a regular basis.”

Rodriguez leads all rookies in dwelling runs and has stolen 23 bases.

The groups break up its temporary two-game collection, with Seattle successful three of 4 this yr after sweeping Washington in a doubleheader July 13. The Mariners maintain the third and remaining spot within the AL wild-card race whereas the Nationals have the worst report within the majors.

Vargas homered with two outs off Paul Sewald (3-4), who had not given up an earned run since July 26. It was his third homer of the yr, two of them for Washington after he started the yr with the Chicago Cubs.

“Tremendous excited in that second,” Vargas mentioned by means of a translator. “Something I can do to assist the staff win. I’m right here to do the little issues and reap the benefits of the alternatives.”

Kyle Finnegan (5-2) allowed a few baserunners within the ninth earlier than retiring Cal Raleigh on a flyout.

Nationals starter Anibal Sánchez allowed no runs and two hits in 4 1/3 innings. In his final two outings, the 38-year-old has given up one earned run and three hits in 9 1/3 innings.

“The one factor I may say about Aníbal proper now’s he retains us within the ball sport,” Nationals supervisor Dave Martinez mentioned.

Kirby struck out 9 in seven innings, giving up eight hits with no stroll.

Nelson Cruz hit an RBI single within the first.

STREAK CONTINUES

Washington has gone 41 straight video games with out its starter being the successful pitcher. It’s the longest drought in main league historical past. Regardless of the unlucky streak, Sánchez’s final three outings resulted in wins for the Nationals.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mariners: LF Sam Haggerty is coping with an remoted deltoid pressure however is progressing, supervisor Scott Servais mentioned. Haggerty is predicted to be prepared Thursday in opposition to Cleveland. He’s out there off the bench if wanted.

UP NEXT

Nationals: High pitching prospect RHP Cade Cavalli will make his main league debut at dwelling vs. Cincinnati on Friday. In his final outing with Triple-A Rochester on Aug. 20, he pitched 5 innings, permitting one run and placing out eight. He’s 6-4 with a 3.71 ERA in 20 video games this season with Washington’s prime affiliate. Cavalli was chosen twenty second total within the first spherical of the 2020 MLB draft by the Nationals.

Mariners: LHP Marco Gonzales (8-12, 4.08) seems to be to hold momentum into Thursday’s dwelling sport in opposition to Cleveland. He gave up one run in Seattle’s 10-2 win over Oakland final week.

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