SEATTLE — Julio Rodríguez hit a two-run homer, his second in three games, George Kirby allowed one unearned run in six innings and the Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 7-5 on Saturday.
Seattle won for the sixth time in seven games and took its sixth consecutive series at home, a streak dating back to mid-April. The Mariners also increased their lead in the American League West to 7 1/2 games over Texas. It’s Seattle’s largest division lead since June 18, 2003, when it was also a game and a half.
Kirby (6-5) did not allow a hit until Wyatt Langford’s infield single with one out in the fourth inning. Kirby relied heavily on a fastball at the top of the strike zone and distributed six hits in six innings.
Marcus Semien hit an RBI double in the fifth, but Kirby finished his outing by striking out every batter he faced in the sixth inning.
For the Rangers, Cuban Adolis García went 1 for 3 with one run scored. Dominican Ezequiel Durán 1-for-4 with one run scored.
For the Marlins, Dominican Julio Rodríguez was 2-for-5 with one run scored and two RBIs.
