HOUSTON — The last time George Kirby faced the Houston Astros. He walked off the mound after tossing seven brilliant innings, holding the potent Astros lineup scoreless and leaving them shaking their head in frustration. He was rewarded with a raucous standing ovation from more than 47,000 people at T-Mobile Park.
The date was Oct. 15 of last season, and it was Game 3 of the American League Division Series. As a wunderkind rookie, Kirby’s first postseason gave his team and city hope of at least one more game in the magical playoff run. Of course, the game would feature another 11 innings of baseball — 10 more without a run scored.
On Thursday, Kirby finally faced the Mariners’ AL West rivals for the first time this season. He delivered a start similar to that postseason performance, and unlike that playoff outing, his teammates gave him an actual run of support. Four to be exact.
With Eugenio Suarez hitting a pair of homers and J.P. Crawford also going deep, Kirby stymied the Astros for six innings, finally giving up a run with two outs in the seventh, much to his displeasure and the Mariners cruised to a decisive 5-1 victory.
Named to the All-Star team on Wednesday, Kirby offered another reminder to Astros manager Dusty Baker, who will manage the American League All-Star team and choose the starting pitcher, of his outstanding command and relentless nature.
It was Kirby’s 14th quality start of the season, which is the most in the American League and tie tied with Marcos Stroman of the Cubs for the most in MLB.
Of course, Kirby wasn’t happy about giving up a run in the seventh with two outs. He allowed a leadoff single to Yainer Diaz. It appeared like he might get out of the inning unscathed after retiring Chas McCormick and Jeremy Pena. But Corey Julk, who had two hits already in the game of him, doubled into the left field corner to score Diaz.
With Kirby at 94 pitches, manager Scott Servais went to Matt Brash to finish the inning. Kirby was less than enthused about being removed from the game. He stalked off the mound to the dugout and into the clubhouse.
