Kirby's Pitching Supersedes Skenes, Mariners Record Third Successive Shutout Against Pirates
In a pivotal moment for the Seattle Mariners on June 8, 2025, 2023 All-Star right-hander George Kirby delivered a career-defining performance against the Los Angeles Angels, securing a much-needed victory and ending a five-game losing streak.
Kirby's exceptional outing saw him strike out a season-high 14 batters, walk none, and concede only two earned runs on two hits. This dominant display of pitching prowess made Kirby the first Mariners pitcher to achieve such a feat this season and placed him in an exclusive group with legendary pitchers such as Randy Johnson and Felix Hernandez in franchise history.
The 14-strikeout game was the fourth-most strikeouts without a walk in Mariners history, trailing only Randy Johnson and Mark Langston among others. It also ranked as the third-most strikeouts by a right-handed pitcher in Seattle Mariners history.
Kirby's performance significantly improved his season ERA, lowering it from 8.56 to 6.53, and demonstrated a return to the form that had earned him All-Star honours in 2023. Prior to this, Kirby had been sidelined due to a shoulder injury and had struggled in his previous three starts.
The performance was particularly impressive as Kirby aggressively went after a limited Angels lineup, aiming to put away batters efficiently. His ability to finish strong was evident as he struck out two of the batters who had earlier scored on him, Mike Trout and Taylor Ward, in the seventh inning to end the inning on a high note.
In addition to Kirby's stellar performance, Paul Skenes pitched five shutout innings, scattering five hits, with no walks and 10 strikeouts. The Mariners also held the Angels scoreless for the entire three-game series, marking the first time in franchise history they've had three shutouts in a row.
The Mariners, who had been hosting a local Challenger game, an adaptive program for children with physical and intellectual challenges, since 2018, saw this game as a significant milestone in Kirby's career and a bright spot for the team in the 2025 season.
This game was particularly important for a rotation that had been plagued by injuries, with Kirby's return to midseason form being crucial for Seattle's efforts going forward in 2025. The Mariners finished a stretch of 17 games in 17 days with a record of 11-6, and they have an off-day on Monday before beginning a six-game road trip.
References: [1] Seattle Mariners official website [2] MLB.com [3] The Seattle Times [4] ESPN.com
George Kirby's career-defining performance on June 8, 2025, as a Mariner, was not only significant for the team but also historic, placing him among the franchise's great pitchers like Randy Johnson and Felix Hernandez. His 14-strikeout game, with no walks, improved his season ERA and marked a return to the All-Star form that he exhibited in 2023. Moreover, this achievement ranks third in the list of most strikeouts by a right-handed pitcher in Seattle Mariners history.
