Rojas, Moore, Robles hit consecutive HRs in 1st, Mariners beat White Sox 10-0 – MLB

Photo: The Canadian Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Josh Rojas, Dylan Moore and Victor Robles hit consecutive home runs in Seattle’s eight-run first inning and the Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox 10-0 on Friday night, ending a three-game losing streak.

George Kirby pitched seven strong innings and Jorge Polanco added a two-run drive in the fourth to give Seattle its second win in 10 games and hand the major league’s worst White Sox their 12th straight loss. The Mariners entered the AL West one game behind first-place Houston after once holding a 10-game lead in the division.

The Mariners hadn’t hit two straight deep runs this season until facing Chicago rookie Drew Thorpe, scoring all eight of the right-handed pitcher’s runs with two outs. Seattle last hit three straight homers on June 21, 2022, at Oakland.

Kirby (8-7) allowed six hits, struck out seven and walked one to earn his first win in a month. Mitch Garver, who batted .177, reached base five times on three hits and two walks.

The Mariners already led 3-0 when Rojas hit a three-run drive into the right-field bullpen off Thorpe’s center-cut fastball. Moore and Robles followed with solo shots to chase the 23-year-old from his eighth major league start.

Jason Vosler started the rally with a two-run single. Garver followed with an RBI double.

The White Sox (27-79) have lost 18 of 21 games and are 52 or more games below .500. That was the first time they had a 49-102 record in 1932. Chicago has tied the 1962 Mets for the worst record with 106 games and is on track to tie expansion club New York with 120 losses, the most since the 19th century.

Tommy Pham had three of Chicago’s seven hits.

The Mariners have entered seven of their previous eight games with two runs or fewer, but haven’t waited for the arrival of All-Star outfielder Randy Arozarena to get their offense going. Arozarena was added in a trade from Tampa Bay on Thursday night, and reliever Yimi García was acquired from Toronto on Friday. Both are expected to join the Mariners on Saturday.

Thorpe (3-2), acquired in a trade that sent Dylan Cease to San Diego, entered with a 3.03 ERA. The 6-foot-4 righty had allowed five runs in 30 1/3 innings in his previous five outings for a 1.48 ERA over the span.

In this game, Thorpe allowed eight runs and six hits, walked two and got only two outs.

OFFER ADDED

Seattle also traded RHP Ryne Stanek to the Mets on Friday for minor league outfielder Rhylan Thomas.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mariners: RHP Gregory Santos, who suffered a knee injury Wednesday, underwent an MRI “which was OK,” and he could be available for Saturday’s game, manager Scott Servais said.

NEXT ONE

Mariners RHP Bryan Woo (4-1, 2.54) takes the mound Saturday night against White Sox RHP Erick Fedde (7-3, 2.98).

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