Mariners' bats back George Kirby in win over Guardians

Cole Young and Luke Raley hit home runs as Seattle evens series

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:25am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball game, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of color representing the players, field, and action, conveying the dynamic energy of the Mariners' win over the Guardians.The Mariners' powerful offensive display, fueled by timely home runs, propels them to an important early-season victory over their divisional rival Guardians.Cleveland Today

The Seattle Mariners defeated the visiting Cleveland Guardians 5-1 on Friday night, with George Kirby pitching six strong innings and Cole Young and Luke Raley hitting home runs to even the four-game series at one apiece.

Why it matters

The Mariners are looking to build on their success from last season, when they made the playoffs for the first time in over 20 years. This win over a divisional opponent helps them maintain momentum early in the season.

The details

Kirby (1-0) allowed one run on two hits, walking two and striking out six. Guardians starter Gavin Williams (0-1) struggled with his command, allowing three runs on two hits over five innings with seven strikeouts and a career-high six walks. Chase DeLauter homered for the Guardians, but the Mariners' offense was powered by Young's three-run shot in the fourth and Raley's two-run blast in the sixth.

  • The game was played on Friday, March 28, 2026.
  • DeLauter homered for the third time in two games.

The players

George Kirby

The Mariners' starting pitcher, who allowed one run on two hits over six strong innings.

Cole Young

The Mariners' outfielder, who hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning.

Luke Raley

The Mariners' outfielder, who hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning.

Chase DeLauter

The Guardians' outfielder, who hit a solo home run in the first inning.

Gavin Williams

The Guardians' starting pitcher, who struggled with his command and allowed three runs over five innings.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

The Mariners' offense came alive with timely home runs from Young and Raley, providing strong support for Kirby's solid pitching performance. This win helps the Mariners even the series and build momentum as they look to build on last season's playoff appearance.