George Kirby had started ten games against the Rangers in his career. He was 8-0, with a 1.04 earned run average. Contrary to common knowledge, Ray Davis does not own the Rangers. George Kirby does.

So, when Nathan Eovaldi gave up a home run on the first pitch of the game, it looked bleak. And when the Mariners scored a second run in the top of the fifth, history suggested a two-run deficit was insurmountable.

Then, something odd happened. Actually, a two oddities. First, Joc Pederson got a hit. It was only his third of the season. He led off the inning with it. Nobody could have ever imagined that. He took second on a throwing error. And he scored on a single by the suddenly rejuvenated Evan Carter. 

The second oddity happened on the next batter. Kyle Higashioka parked a Kirby fastball over the left centerfield wall to put the Rangers up 3-2.

When Higashioka made a gutsy throw to first with two on and two outs in the top of the night to end the game (thanks to an amazing catch by Jake Burger), the impossible happened.

The Rangers beat George Kirby. Finally. Jakob Junis picked up his second save in two games, which was a bonusm oddity. 

But last night’s game belonged to Kyle Higashioka. He slayed the beast. George Kirby’s dominance over the Rangers is over.

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