George Kirby strikes out a career-high 12 as the Mariners beat the Diamondbacks 3-1

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby reacts after striking out Arizona Diamondbacks’ Eugenio Suárez to end the top of the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

SEATTLE (AP) — George Kirby struck out a career-high 12 batters in seven scoreless innings, Ty France hit a two-run homer and the Seattle Mariners beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-1 on Saturday night.

Kirby (3-2) gave up two hits, recorded eight of his first nine outs via strikeout and retired his final 14 batters. He ran into his only bit of trouble in the third, giving up a one-out double to Blaze Alexander and a walk to Jake McCarthy before he struck out Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Ketel Marte.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

The AL West-leading Mariners have won three straight and nine of 11.

Arizona starter Slade Cecconi (1-1) kept pace with Kirby early, striking out seven and allowing one hit over the first four innings. He gave up a run in the fifth on Luke Raley’s RBI single.

Seattle Mariners’ Josh Rojas reacts after grounding out against the Arizona Diamondbacks to end the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Cecconi struck out eight while allowing three hits over six innings.

Reliever Bryce Jarvis walked Jorge Polanco in the seventh before France took him deep with a 410-foot shot to right-center.

McCarthy had an RBI triple in the eighth for the Diamondbacks, who have lost four of five.

Andrés Muñoz pitched the ninth for his fourth save.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Diamondbacks: RHP Zac Gallen (right hamstring tightness) felt better on Saturday after leaving in the top of the sixth inning Friday. Gallen is expected to throw a bullpen on Monday and make his next scheduled start. … RHP Paul Sewald (oblique) will have his rehab slowed down due to soreness but is still “very close” to a return, manager Torey Lovullo said.

Seattle Mariners’ Mitch Garver is greeted in the dugout after scoring on an RBI single by Luke Raley against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Mariners: RHP Matt Brash (elbow) has been shut down indefinitely. Brash threw Friday and did not feel good afterward. His scheduled rehab appearance on Saturday at Triple-A Tacoma was scrapped. … RHP Bryan Woo (elbow) allowed two hits and struck out six batters in 3 1.2 innings in his second rehab start at Tacoma.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Slade Cecconi points to center fielder Corbin Carroll after Carroll caught a long fly ball hit by Seattle Mariners’ Josh Rojas during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

UP NEXT

Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert (2-0, 1.87 ERA) will pitch Sunday against Diamondbacks righty Brandon Pfaadt (1-1, 4.97).

Seattle Mariners’ Mitch Garver reacts after hitting a double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

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Seattle Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez, right, reacts after Ty France, left, hit a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Andrés Muñoz throws to an Arizona Diamondbacks batter during the ninth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Andrés Muñoz (75), catcher Cal Raleight, left, and teammates celebrate a 3-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)