GEORGE KIRBY NEWS

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

Seattle right-hander George Kirby set a major league record by throwing 24 straight strikes to start the game and fellow Mariners rookie Julio Rodriguez reached a new level, but Il...

AUGUST 24, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Picks up ugly win Kirby (5-3) earned the win against the Angels on Wednesday, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out seven and walking one over 5.2 innings.

Impact Kirby's outing Wednesday was a mixed bag of results. On one hand, he allowed three earned runs and six hits while throwing 63 of 94 pitches for strikes across 5.2 frames. On the other hand, he allowed only one walk and struck out six batters. Kirby has lasted six or more innings in just two of his last seven starts, a sign that Seattle may be limiting his innings. The righty will take a 3.47 ERA into his next outing.

AUGUST 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up fourth win Kirby (4-3) gave up two earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five over 5.2 innings in a 6-2 victory over the Rangers on Friday.

Impact Kirby looked comfortable pitching on the road in Arlington, giving up only a couple of runs on a sacrifice groundout and single before coming out of the game having thrown 83 pitches. The rookie right-hander has shown impeccable control since entering the big leagues. Kirby boasts a 7.2 K/BB, having struck out 86 batters in 85 innings pitched while only issuing 12 walks. The Mariners are intent on monitoring Kirby's use down the stretch, so his upside is likely going to be limited by a pitch count going forward. He is tentatively expected to make his next start at the Angels.

AUGUST 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs third win Kirby (3-3) allowed one earned run over six innings and picked up the win in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Angels. He gave up six hits, struck out eight batters and...

Impact The Mariners scored only two runs Saturday, but that was plenty for Kirby, who allowed only two extra-base hits and just missed tying his season high of nine strikeouts. Since being tagged for a season-high seven earned runs June 27, Kirby has given up only six earned runs over his last five starts, covering 26.1 innings in that span.

AUGUST 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

George Kirby, Ty France combine to lift Mariners to victory over Angels in Game 1 of doubleheader SEATTLE — If only George Kirby’s usage didn’t have to be monitored and limited.

AUGUST 6, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Lasts four innings Sunday Kirby allowed two runs on three hits, one walk and a hit batsman while striking out seven over four innings in a no-decision versus the Astros on Sunday.

Impact Kirby gave up both runs and four of the five baserunners he permitted in the first inning. He threw 74 pitches (42 strikes) in the appearance. The rookie right-hander finishes July with five runs and 18 hits allowed in 20.1 innings, though he's already up to 73.1 major-league innings and 100 at all levels in 2022. Kirby is still expected to be in the rotation mix after the Mariners acquired Luis Castillo on Friday. It's unclear how that will look in practice -- the Mariners could go straight to a six-man rotation, piggyback Kirby with a long reliever or employ some other undefined strategy to manage his innings over the final two months of the season.

JULY 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

To be kept in rotation mix Kirby's opportunity to pitch regularly will continue to be prioritized in the wake of the Mariners' trade for Luis Castillo on Friday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Impact The promising right-hander has already logged 69.1 innings across 13 starts with the Mariners in addition to another 26.2 frames in the minors. Kirby just returned from Triple-A Tacoma on July 26 to serve as the No. 5 starter and turned in five scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Rangers on Tuesday, and the team is intent on helping him get through a 162-game season for the first time as a professional. President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto noted Friday he and manager Scott Servais would sit down and work on creative ways to make sure the rookie "stays on a regular turn and continues to contribute" despite the starting rotation now being at six pitchers overall.

JULY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mariners continue to closely monitor workload for rookie George Kirby In 19 starts this season — 13 for the Mariners and six in the minors — George Kirby has already thrown a career-high 96 innings.

JULY 27, 2022 • SEATTLETIMES.COM

Ray teaches Kirby 'nasty' two-seam fastball SEATTLE -- George Kirby didn’t necessarily need another weapon to attack hitters. But after seeing the immediate, in-game returns when Robbi...

JULY 27, 2022 • MLB.COM

Spins five scoreless frames Kirby registered a no-decision during Tuesday's 5-4 win against Texas, allowing two hits and one walk with four strikeouts in five scoreless innings.

Impact Kirby put one runner on in each of the first three innings and finished the outing strong by retiring the final nine Rangers he faced. The 24-year-old was in line for his third win, but the bullpen surrendered the lead, leaving the righty winless in four July starts despite a 1.27 ERA. In 13 starts this season, Kirby has posted a 3.50 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 66 strikeouts compared to only 10 walks in 69.1 innings. He's set for a tough test with a road start against Houston on tap for this weekend.

JULY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled as expected The Mariners recalled Kirby from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday.

Impact Kirby will jump right into the rotation and start Tuesday's game versus the Rangers. Kirby owns a 3.78 ERA across 64.1 big-league innings innings, and he has gone at least 6.0 innings in six of his 12 starts with the Mariners.

JULY 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Returning as No. 5 starter The Mariners plan to call up Kirby from Triple-A Tacoma to start Tuesday's home game against the Rangers.

Impact As was anticipated following the Mariners' decision to option him to Tacoma on July 9, Kirby will be rejoining the big club when it first requires a No. 5 starter following the All-Star break. Before the demotion, Kirby had proven his worth as an MLB-caliber starter by supplying a 3.78 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 62:9 K:BB across 64.1 frames, but the Mariners will continue to be mindful of the rookie's workload during his age-24 campaign. Between the Mariners, Tacoma and Double-A Arkansas, Kirby is up to 91 innings this season, and the organization may not be keen on having him push past the 130-to-140 range in 2022.

JULY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Set to rejoin rotation after break Mariners manager Scott Servais confirmed that Kirby will be called up from Triple-A Tacoma following the All-Star break to rejoin the big-league rotation, Jen Mueller of Root Sport...

Impact Rather than due to any dissatisfaction with Kirby's performance, the Mariners elected to demote the rookie right-hander over the weekend as a means of keeping his innings in check. According to Servais, Kirby is expected to make an abbreviated start Saturday for Tacoma before making his return to the majors. The Mariners estimate that the decision to demote Kirby at this point in the calendar will save about 10 innings off his season total for 2022. Between stops with the Mariners and Double-A Arkansas this season, Kirby has thus far covered 89 frames.

JULY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Tacoma Kirby was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday.

Impact Kirby has struggled a bit across his last three starts, allowing 10 earned runs, 22 hits and three walks in the span of 15.1 innings. However, this move likely has more to do with the team managing his workload as the All-Star break approaches, as he's already thrown 89 frames combined between Double-A Arkansas and Seattle in 2022. Kirby threw only 67.2 innings in 2021, and the Mariners aren't likely to take many chances with one of the best pitchers in the organization.

JULY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Yields 10 hits Kirby allowed two runs on 10 hits and a walk with four strikeouts in 4.1 innings Friday, taking a no-decision versus the Blue Jays.

Impact The 10 hits Kirby allowed marked a season high for the rookie right-hander, but only two of them went for extra bases. He did fairly well with damage control, as the two runs on his line were on RBI singles from Lourdes Gurriel and Teoscar Hernandez. It's a little concerning Kirby's failed to complete five innings in two of his last three starts. He has a 3.78 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 62:9 K:BB through 64.1 innings. He'll look to show more command in a projected road start against the Rangers next week.

JULY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mariners keeping an eye on Kirby's workload This story was excerpted from Daniel Kramer’s Mariners Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it reg...

JULY 5, 2022 • MLB.COM

Fans nine in no-decision Kirby didn't factor in the decision against Oakland on Saturday despite allowing just one run over seven innings. He gave up three hits and one walk while striking out nine.

Impact Kirby fell behind by a run in the first inning but held Oakland scoreless the rest of the way, retiring 16 of the final 17 batters he faced. The right-hander racked up 15 swinging strikes and tied his career high with nine punchouts, but he had to settle for a no-decision since Seattle wasn't able to get on the scoreboard until the eighth frame. This was a strong bounce-back outing for Kirby after he allowed a career-worst seven runs over four innings in his previous start. He is putting together a standout rookie campaign, posting a 3.75 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 58:8 K:BB over 60 frames.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Knocked around by Orioles Kirby (2-3) took the loss against Baltimore on Monday, allowing seven runs on nine hits and and one walk while striking out two over four innings.

Impact Of the nine hits Kirby surrendered in the contest, six went for extra bases -- including four that left the yard. The rookie wasn't able to keep the Orioles off the scoreboard in any frame, and he needed 95 pitches to get through four innings. The performance was a big letdown after Kirby had tossed four quality starts over his previous five appearances. The four homers and seven runs were both season-worst marks for the right-hander, and his ERA shot up to 4.08 as a result of the rough night.

JUNE 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Throws six shutout innings Kirby (2-2) allowed five hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Athletics.

Impact It's the third time in nine starts this year Kirby's gone six scoreless innings, though he's yet to pitch beyond that. He received plenty of run support Wednesday, allowing him to cruise to his second win of the campaign. The rookie right-hander has posted a 3.12 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 47:6 K:BB through 49 innings overall. He's got another favorable matchup on the horizon next week at home versus the Orioles.

JUNE 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes second loss Kirby (1-2) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk with six strikeouts in six innings, taking the loss versus the Angels on Thursday.

Impact Kirby allowed a two-run home run to Mike Trout in the third inning, and that was all it took for the rookie to take the loss. He has allowed two or fewer runs in three of his last four starts. The 22-year-old now has a 3.56 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 41:5 K:BB across 43 innings in eight starts overall. He's projected to make his next start on the road in Oakland next week.

JUNE 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes no-decision Saturday Kirby didn't factor into the decision during Saturday's 7-6 win against Boston, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits and one walk with four strikeouts in five innings.

Impact A first-inning J.P. Crawford error led to three runs, and a J.D. Martinez two-run shot in the fifth put Kirby in line for the loss, but Seattle ultimately prevailed during a back-and-forth game. The 24-year-old rookie has now struck out three or fewer batters in four of seven starts but has at least seven in each of the other three. Kirby has been solid thus far with a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 35:4 K:BB in 37 innings and lines up to face the Angels midweek.

JUNE 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Strong again in no-decision Kirby allowed two runs on five hits and struck out three over six innings Sunday versus the Rangers. He walked none, and he didn't factor in the decision.

Impact Through six starts, Kirby has shown impressive control, permitting just three walks in 32 innings. He's also logged three quality starts so far, though he has just a 1-1 record to show for it. The 24-year-old right-hander will carry a 3.38 ERA and 1.09 WHIP into his next start, tentatively set for a home matchup versus the Red Sox next weekend.

JUNE 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mariners kick off road trip with 10 runs, Kirby's first W BALTIMORE -- The month of May will certainly not go in the books as impressive overall for the Mariners (10-18), but the last four games hav...

JUNE 1, 2022 • MLB.COM

Fires six scoreless Kirby (1-1) earned the win Tuesday after he tossed six scoreless innings, allowing four hits, a walk and hitting a batter while striking out five versus the Orioles.

Impact Kirby was in full control in this one, allowing just six batters to reach base. Ramon Urias notched a double bottom of the fifth, accounting for the only extra-base hit against him in the contest. After two consecutive difficult outings where he combined to give up nine runs in 10 innings, Kirby produced his scoreless start of the season Tuesday. The strong effort lowered his year-long numbers to a 3.46 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 28 strikeouts over 26 innings in five starts.

JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

George Kirby gets first win, and Mariners break out in big way against Orioles BALTIMORE — With the sparseness of fans at Camden Yards, an almost every-game occurrence in the Orioles’ rebuild, the boisterous fan club th...

JUNE 1, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM