The Mariners' eight-game win streak came to an abrupt end in a 7-1 loss to the Mets, with George Kirby taking the brunt of the blame. The once-promising pitcher, who was favored to earn an All-Star bid, is now struggling with a 7.29 ERA over his past four starts. This decline has raised his season ERA from 2.84 to 4.04, and it's not just hard contact that's the issue. The volume of contact has become a more pressing concern, with Kirby conceding that he hasn't been getting ahead in counts and needs to find ways to increase swing-and-miss opportunities.
The defensive lapses behind Kirby didn't help matters, as the team's control over plays like the double steal and the throw to first base were compromised. The Mariners' manager, Dan Wilson, acknowledged the team's missteps, noting that the play at second base could have ended the inning and prevented a run. The team's decision to challenge the play, which was upheld, only highlighted the pressure they were under.
Kirby's struggles are a stark contrast to his earlier form, and he's now facing a challenge to regain his form. The fact that he's given up just three homers during this four-start stretch is a silver lining, but opposing batters are still hitting .330 with an .870 OPS against him. This is a concerning trend, especially given that only six of the 17 balls in play from the Mets against him were hard-hit. The hard-hit rate surrendered has increased from 40.0% to 44.6% over these past four starts.
Despite the rough patch, Kirby remains optimistic and believes he's nearing answers for how to get out of it. He's determined to get ahead in counts and increase swing-and-miss opportunities, recognizing that his ability to do so will be crucial to his success moving forward.
