Seattle Mariners Clinch Second-Straight Series Win With 4-1 Victory Over Philadelphia Phillies

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Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby speaks to the media following the team's 4-1 win against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. | Teren Kowatsch/Roundtable Sports

SEATTLE — A masterclass from starting pitcher George Kirby led the Seattle Mariners to its second-straight series win against a National League team in the playoff picture.

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Kirby led the Mariners to a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday at T-Mobile Park. The one-time All-Star struck out nine batters, walked one and allowed one earned run on six hits in 7.2 innings pitched for his 11th quality start of the season.

"(I did) a lot of work during the week," Kirby said after the game. "Getting my mechanics right. ... And then just let it flow, be free."

Kirby's outing ended in the top of the eighth inning. He struck out Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber swinging and induced a flyout from shortstop Trea Turner. He surrendered a single to right fielder Bryce Harper, which brought out Seattle manager Dan Wilson to take the ball from him, much to the (very vocal) dismay of the 37,600 fans in attendance at T-Mobile Park.

"Those decisions are difficult," Wilson said in a postgame interview. "George, he was still, seemingly, fairly strong but we just felt like that was a good opportunity there. And (Jose A. Ferrer) came in, did the job, got the (left-handed hitter) and we were on our way. But can't say enough about the job George did tonight."

The only blemish for Kirby came on an RBI single surrendered to opposing center fielder Justin Crawford in the top of the sixth.

When Kirby was pulled, the Mariners had the 4-1 lead that ended up being the eventual final after the offense manage to scrape out enough runs against relatively tough starting pitching in Philadelphia's right.

Phillies starter Aaron Nola, brother of Seattle bullpen coach Austin Nola, fanned seven batters, walked three and allowed two earned runs on three hits (one home run) in six innings pitched.

The one home run allowed by Nola accounted for the first run scored by the Mariners.

Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh tied the game with his fourth homer in two games — a solo shot to right field in the bottom of the second.

The tie maintained until the bottom of the sixth inning. Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez reached with a one-out, first-pitch single and subsequently stole second. First baseman Josh Naylor brought Rodriguez home with an RBI single (that Naylor was ultimately out on after trying to stretch to second).

Nayor's tag out at second resulted in the second out of the inning and Seattle took a 2-1 lead.

"Great jump (by Julio) to be able to get second there," Wilson said. "A great opportunity to get a bag, to get himself into scoring position. Offensively, (turned) the dials where we could tonight. A couple stolen bases, getting into scoring position. You knew it was probably going to be a low-scoring game the way the guys were throwing so every little bit helps there."

The Mariners put away the game for good in the bottom of the seventh inning after Philadelphia went to left-handed reliever Brooks Raley for the final out with the bases loaded and two away.

Seattle right fielder Dominic Canzone, who earlier in the season would have been lifted for a pinch-hitter against a southpaw pitcher, came through with a two-RBI single up the middle, which resulted in the eventual final of 4-1.

"It's probably a few months ago (they let me stay in against left-handed pitchers)," Canzone said in a postgame interview. "Never really had a conversation with anybody about it but once you get a few games against a starting lefty, (you) kind of know you're in there for the ball game. ... Not taking it for granted. Just trying to keep the pedal to the metal and keep doing your job for the team."

The win improved the Mariners record to 64-69 on the season. They're 2.5 games out of first place in the American League West and 2.5 games out of the final wild card spot in the American League.

Seattle will be looking to make it a clean sweep against the Phillies in the series finale at 1:10 p.m. PT on Wednesday at T-Mobile Park.

Bryan Woo will start for the Mariners and Jesus Luzardo will start for Philadelphia.

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