Mariners strike first blow in crucial Rangers series with 6-0 win

Eugenio Suárez is the star attraction, but George Kirby leads the way in a big win for the Seattle Mariners versus their divisional rivals.

The anticipation for the 2025 season was at an all-time high for the Seattle Mariners heading into Thursday’s important home series opener versus the Texas Rangers. That’s what happens when you complete a successful trade deadline with the (re)acquisition of fan favorite Eugenio Suárez.

Suárez received a standing ovation ahead of his first plate appearance of the night, from the 28,293 in attendance at T-Mobile Park. He would go on to make an impact with a double in the fourth inning, which was followed by scoring the Mariners’ first run of the game after a wild pitch from Rangers starter Kumar Rocker.

The Mariners never looked back after that, with five combined runs in the fifth and sixth innings resulting in an impressive 6-0 shutout win against their divisional rivals. Rookie Cole Young had an excellent night as he hit his first home run at T-Mobile Park, along with the first triple of his Major League career (which doubled as a RBI).

Cal Raleigh continues his assault on the record books

Cal Raleigh hit his league-leading 42nd homer of the season and set a new record for a switch-hitting catcher in season. He also leads the majors with 88 RBI and continues to close in on Salvador Perez’s record of 48 home runs in a season by a catcher.

A struggling J.P. Crawford hit a much-needed RBI single and Young came home with the final run thanks to a passed ball by Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka. However, just as much credit needs to go to the Mariners’ pitching, highlighted by one of George Kirby’s best starts of 2025.

Kirby will be the first to admit he’s been a bit erratic since returning from an injury which kept him out for the start of the season. However, Thursday night saw him go 6.0 shutout innings, in the process only allowing three hits and two walks, while also striking out six.

The 2023 All-Star’s toughest challenge came in the top of the sixth, after the Rangers had put men on second and third base and with the tying run coming to the plate. However, he was subsequently able end the threat by getting Adolis Garcia on an inning-ending fly ball.

Caleb Ferguson threw a perfect seventh inning in his Mariners debut, with Trent Thornton and Casey Legumina combining to complete the shutout win. The only downside was that Thornton injured his lower left leg in the top of the ninth and had to be taken off the field in a cart, and now the team nervously awaits an update on his status.

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Eugenio Suárez speaks to the Mariners media

Postgame, Suárez spoke to the media about the standing ovation he received ahead of his first plate appearance. As per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com, he said: “I feel the love, and I appreciated that so much. That was a lot for me and my wife and my daughters, and it feels like I never left.”

As much as the night was about Suárez’s return to Seattle, he was just as interested in getting an up-close and personal look at Raleigh’s pursuit of a possible AL MVP award. He said: “It’s amazing. I see it right now, like everything he’s doing is hitting a homer. If you make a mistake, he’s going to bang it. It’s really good. I was watching it on TV, but now I see it on the front lines, which is awesome.”

With the win the Mariners now have an insurmountable 8-2 record in the head-to-head season series versus the Rangers. However, with just a one-game lead over them for the final AL wild card spot, this remains a crucial series which the M’s need to at the very least not lose.

In this respect the Mariners will send Logan Gilbert to the mound on Friday night, as they aim to secure at least a series split versus their divisional rivals. The Rangers will counter with Jack Leiter, whose 4.09 ERA should theoretically give at least some cause for optimism by the home team.

Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rodgers Photography

How many wins do you predict the Mariners will have in this four-game series against the Rangers. More generally speaking, where is your confidence level at now for the M’s chances of making the playoffs following their three deadline trades? Let us know in the comments section below.