SEATTLE — George Kirby matched his career high with 10 strikeouts in seven innings and the Seattle Mariners beat the Minnesota Twins 5-0 on Thursday night.
The Mariners had their All-Star selections thanks to a terrific start. Kirby retired 11 of his first 12 opponents and didn’t score until Matt Wallner singled just short of third base with two outs in the top of the fourth.
Kirby (9-8) allowed four hits. His 10 strikeouts matched his outing against Miami last month.
Hernandez hit an RBI single during a heavy first inning for Pablo Lopez, who went full counts in four of his first seven opponents and needed 36 pitches to break the inning. Lopez (5-6) settled down after that slow start, but Hernandez punished him again when he hit his 16th home run in the top of the fourth.
For doubles, Colombian Donovan Solano is 3-1. Puerto Ricans Willy Castro 3-0, Christian Vasquez 2-0.
For the Mariners, Dominicans Julio Rodriguez was 4-1 and Hernandez was 4-2 with one run and two RBI. Venezuela’s Eugenio Suarez scored a run to make it 3-2. Panamanian Jose Caballero 3-0.
