TLDR: Seattle rolled into Monday's finale trying to salvage a split after finally snapping a 4-game skid, and for one afternoon the long ball buried them right back.
+Lineup power surge: Pederson, Duran, Burger all hitting
+Rocker's previous start was lights-out, 6 K's
+Reportedly leaning buyer for the stretch run
−Rocker still just 3-8 with a shaky overall season
−Seager and Jung both out of the infield
−Both catchers, Jansen and Higashioka, sidelined
George Kirby (8-8, 3.98 ERA) against Kumar Rocker (3-8, 4.03 ERA) was the pitching matchup on paper, a 1:35 PM CT get-away game between two clubs separated by a game and a half in the AL West race. Kirby had been dealing his last time out, six shutout innings against Cincinnati with 6 strikeouts on just 80 pitches. Rocker had looked just as sharp in his prior start, also six shutout frames with 6 K's against the White Sox.
George Kirby
(8-9)·3.68 ERA
Jul 20 vs Reds
W
6.0IP
0ER
6K
1BB
80P
07/27 Lineup
Kumar Rocker
(4-9)·4.46 ERA
Jul 21 vs White Sox
W
6.0IP
0ER
6K
2BB
75P
07/27 Lineup
Both rotations were operating around banged-up lineups. Texas has been without shortstop Corey Seager since he went down with a back injury, and third baseman Josh Jung joined him on the shelf with a calf strain, while both catchers on the roster, Danny Jansen and Kyle Higashioka, have also been out. Seattle's been missing DH Rob Refsnyder and 3B Brendan Donovan as they rehab in Tacoma, and the bullpen is short too with Cooper Criswell, Carlos Vargas and Matt Brash all sidelined. None of it stopped Texas's lineup from doing damage.
This one got away from Seattle in a hurry. Kirby lasted just 4 innings, getting rocked for 7 earned runs on 4 home runs allowed, and the Rangers were off to the races before Seattle could exhale. Randy Arozarena went deep for Seattle in the 2nd, but it was a solo shot in a game that was already spiraling.
Rocker, meanwhile, was every bit as good as his last outing suggested he could be, working 6.2 innings and striking out 7 while allowing just 2 earned runs. With his lineup mashing behind him, that was more than enough support. The result flips the script on Seattle's brief 1-game winning streak and hands the season series edge back to Texas heading into the stretch run before next week's trade deadline, where both clubs have been described as buyers looking to add.
Mariners 3, Rangers 7: Final Score & Odds Recap — Kirby Gets Torched, Rangers Take Series Finale in Arlington
