George Kirby the answer to Mariners beating Rangers this season

Mariners pitcher dominates Texas for 9th win in 12 career starts against division rival

Apr. 19, 2026 at 8:25am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers, with sharp planes of navy, teal, red, white, and blue.A cubist interpretation of the intense on-field action as the Mariners and Rangers battle for AL West supremacy.Kirby Today

George Kirby continued his mastery of the Texas Rangers, allowing one run over 5 2/3 innings, as the host Seattle Mariners posted a 7-3 victory Saturday against their American League West rivals. Luke Raley homered for the Mariners, who snapped a four-game losing streak and beat Texas for the first time in five tries this season.

Why it matters

The Mariners have struggled against the Rangers this season, making Kirby's dominant performance an important win as they look to keep pace in the competitive AL West division race.

The details

Kirby (3-2) improved to 9-1 in 12 career starts against Texas, giving up seven hits, walking two and striking out five. The only run he allowed came on a solo homer by Josh Jung in the sixth inning. The Mariners scored three runs off Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi and added four more in the eighth inning off reliever Cal Quantrill.

  • Kirby's outing lasted 5 2/3 innings on Saturday, April 19, 2026.
  • The Mariners snapped a four-game losing streak with the win.
  • The Mariners had lost their first four games against the Rangers this season prior to Saturday's victory.

The players

George Kirby

The Mariners' starting pitcher who has dominated the Rangers throughout his career, improving to 9-1 in 12 starts against them.

Luke Raley

The Mariners' outfielder who hit a solo home run in the game.

Josh Jung

The Rangers' third baseman who hit a solo home run off Kirby in the sixth inning.

Andres Munoz

The Mariners' closer who entered in the ninth inning with the bases loaded and recorded the final out to earn his second save of the season.

Nathan Eovaldi

The Rangers' starting pitcher who gave up four runs (two earned) in five-plus innings of work.

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What’s next

The Mariners and Rangers will play the rubber match of their three-game series on Sunday, April 20, 2026.

The takeaway

Kirby's dominant performance against the Rangers, a division rival the Mariners have struggled against this season, was a crucial win as Seattle looks to keep pace in the tight AL West race.