Yariel Rodríguez gets 1st win, Alejandro Kirk drives in pair to help Blue Jays beat Mariners 5-4

SEATTLE (AP) — Yariel Rodríguez allowed one hit over six shutout innings for his first victory, Alejandro Kirk had three hits and drove in two runs and the Toronto Blue Jays held off the Seattle Mariners 5-4 on Saturday.

Rodríguez (1-3) had arguably the best start of his brief major league career and followed up on a terrific outing his last time out against Houston. Rodríguez went 6 2/3 innings allowing one run to the Astros earlier this week, then was even better against another AL West opponent.

“It means a lot to me. A lot of sacrifices for us to be here in the big leagues," Rodríguez said through an interpreter. "Getting that first win is unbelievable feelings. Grateful for the organization, today for my teammates, great defense behind me. It's unbelievable.”

The bigger worry for the Mariners was Julio Rodríguez after he was removed from the game following the first inning due to discomfort in his right quadriceps, manager Scott Servais said. Rodríguez felt the discomfort while warming up before the game and appeared to be moving cautiously in the outfield leading to the decision to pull him.

Servais said Rodríguez was expected to undergo an MRI.

“I'm hoping it's nothing too serious,” Servais said.

Seattle tried to rally late, pulling to 5-3 on Mitch Haniger’s three-run homer off Trevor Richards in the eighth inning, and Luke Raley hit a solo homer off Chad Green with one out in the ninth. Green recovered to strike out Mitch Garver and Dominic Canzone for his fourth save.

Yariel Rodríguez didn’t allow a hit until Luke Raley dumped a single into left field leading off the fifth inning. It wasn’t the most efficient performance by Rodríguez as he walked a pair and had a number of three-ball counts. But he struck out six and Seattle couldn’t string together any type of rally.

The Mariners struck out 11 times and have double-figures strikeouts in 11 straight games.

“That's frustrating. It's really hard to win consistently or put consistent offense together when you're not putting the ball in play enough," Servais said.

Rodríguez also received help in the field from Daulton Varsho, who made a diving catch of Ty France’s liner and was able to double off Josh Rojas at second base. Varsho had a big catch crashing into the wall in Friday's series opener that saved a couple of runs.

“That's a huge momentum swing in the game there. You don't see many double plays that way,” Toronto manager John Schneider said.

Kirk had his first three-hit game since April 28 and just his second multi-hit game since June 1. He sandwiched a pair of singles around an RBI double the scored Varsho with two outs in the fourth and gave Toronto a 1-0 lead.

“I think he's just swinging with a little bit more intent," Schneider said about Kirk. "Everyone knows he can control the zone but I think just swinging with a little more intent is kind of the deal."

Kirk extended the lead to 3-0 in the seventh with a bases loaded sacrifice fly. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also drove in a pair with an RBI single and added a sacrifice fly in the eighth.

Seattle’s (3-4) Emerson Hancock was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma and made his ninth start of the season. Toronto made him work as Hancock threw 93 pitches and allowed six hits in four-plus innings.

ROSTER MOVES

Toronto reinstated Justin Turner from the paternity list. Addison Barger was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. Seattle cleared a roster spot for Hancock by designating for assignment backup catcher Seby Zavala.

UP NEXT

Blue Jays: RHP José Berríos (8-6, 3.63) threw 6 2/3 shutout innings earlier this season in a start against Seattle. Berríos is 4-2 in eight career starts against the Mariners.

Mariners: RHP George Kirby (7-6, 3.32) is 3-1 with a 1.93 ERA over his last six starts. But he was rocked for five runs in four innings by Toronto earlier this season.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Emerson Hancock throws to a Toronto Blue Jays batter during the first inning in a baseball game, Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

A fan holds up the bat Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. lost on a swing during the fifth inning in a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hits an RBI single against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning in a baseball game, Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer reacts after scoring against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning in a baseball game, Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer dives into second for a double against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning in a baseball game, Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer scores before the tag from Seattle Mariners catcher Mitch Garver during the fifth inning in a baseball game, Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Toronto Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk hits an RBI double against the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning in a baseball game, Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yariel Rodríguez throws against the Seattle Mariners during the second inning in a baseball game, Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum had 35 points and seven rebounds and the Boston Celtics powered past the Philadelphia 76ers 123-105 on Thursday night.

It was Tatum’s 24th game this season with at least 30 points even though he sat out the entire fourth quarter as Boston won for the ninth time in its last 11 games.

Payton Pritchard added 19 points and Derrick White finished with 12 points after having one of his teeth knocked out in the first half when he took an inadvertent elbow. But he returned to start the third quarter.

Kelly Oubre Jr. led the 76ers with 27 points and Lonnie Walker IV added 17.

Both teams were short-handed.

The Celtics played without Jaylen Brown (knee), Jrue Holiday (finger), Al Horford (toe), Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Sam Hauser (ankle).

The 76ers were missing Joel Embiid (knee), Paul George (left groin), Eric Gordon (wrist), Kyle Lowry (hip), Tyrese Maxey (back) and Jared McCain (knee).

76ers: Oubre tried to carry the scoring load on a night when he was surrounded by reserves. But he didn’t get nearly enough help.

Celtics: As Boston gets over some recent ailments, young players continue to have some promising moments. Neemias Queta was scolded by coach Joe Mazzulla after a first-half stint, but was mostly solid down the stretch, finishing with eight points, nine rebounds and and four assists.

The Celtics led 97-79 heading into the fourth quarter. They then opened the final period on a 10-0 run that included six straight points – and back-to-back dunks – by Queta as Boston’s lead grew to 30.

In the third quarter Tatum was whistled for his 10th technical foul of the season. That leaves him six away from a one-game suspension.

The 76ers host Utah on Sunday night. The Celtics host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) argues a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics forward Torrey Craig (12) looks to pass while pressured by Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against the ePhiladelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla calls to his players during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet (40) battles for a rebound against Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics guard Derrick White, right, is pressured by Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. on a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates after a 3-pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket on a dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)