The Mariners' recent winning streak has come to an abrupt halt, and it's all thanks to a combination of defensive errors and a struggling George Kirby. The team's eight-game win streak ended with a 7-1 loss to the Mets, a game that showcased Kirby's struggles and the team's inability to capitalize on opportunities.
Kirby, once a favorite to earn an All-Star bid, has seen his ERA skyrocket from 2.84 to 4.04 over his past four starts. The issue isn't just about hard contact, but the volume of contact he's giving up. Eight of the nine hits he allowed were singles, and the team's defensive lapses didn't help matters.
One particular play stood out: a double steal attempt that went awry. The Mariners' catcher, Jhonny Pereda, attempted to cut down the initiating runner, but the play went against them. The decision to throw with two outs was a risky one, and it ultimately led to a run scoring.
The defensive issues were compounded by Kirby's struggles. He's falling behind early in counts, which throws off the rest of the at-bat. His K rate and whiff rate are on pace for career lows, and he's giving up just three homers during this four-start stretch. Yet, opposing batters are still hitting .330 with an .870 OPS against him.
The Mariners' manager, Dan Wilson, acknowledged the team's struggles, saying, 'I thought we had him there... Sometimes those things go your way. Today, it didn't go our way.'
Kirby himself is aware of the issues and is working to find answers. He knows he needs to get ahead in counts and get more swing-and-miss opportunities. It's a challenging situation, but one that he believes he's nearing solutions for.
The team's recent loss serves as a reminder that all good things must come to an end. The Mariners will need to find a way to turn things around, and Kirby will need to find his form if they want to get back on track.
