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.
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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)
“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)
SUZUKA, Japan (AP) — Max Verstappen won Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix to break a “mini-slump” of two wins from 16 races but needed a drive that his Red Bull team engineer called “perfection” to get it done.
It was Verstappen's fourth straight victory on the Suzuka circuit in central Japan and breaks the momentum of the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who won the season’s first two races in Australia and China.
“We still have work to do,” Verstappen said. "But it does show if we nail everything we can be up there.”
He did just that.
The four-time defending Formula 1 champion, Verstappen started from pole position after setting a course-record time in qualifying, which he called “insane.” Norris placed second and Piastri was third. The track was dry despite rain earlier in the day to produce an incident-free race.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished fourth followed by George Russell of Mercedes and teammate Kimi Antonelli in sixth. Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda finished 12th in his first drive with Red Bull's top team.
“We keep pushing,” Verstappen said. “Unbelievable. A great weekend for us.”
Norris leads the driver’s standings after three races with 62 points to 61 for Verstappen.
The weekend turned when Verstappen took the pole on his record lap Saturday in qualifying. And there was only one incident of note in Sunday's race — one that's being dubbed the “grass-cutting moment."
Most of the leaders pitted around the 20-lap mark with Verstappen and Norris exiting the pits at almost exactly the same time with Norris forced to drive over the grass, unable to get by Verstappen and he tried to access the track.
“He drove himself into the grass,” Verstappen said on the radio.
Norris said he had no bone to pick with Verstappen.
“He had the position and the right to do what he did," Norris said.
Race stewards agreed.
After the race, Verstappen saluted Japanese engine maker Honda, which this season will end its run of supplying the Red Bull team. And of course the win came on the Suzuka circuit, which Honda runs.
“If was fun, just pushing very hard at the end," Verstappen said. “The two McLarens were pushing very hard. We didn’t give up improving the car and today it was in its best form.”
“Of course, starting on the pole — that's what made it possible to win this race.”
Norris trailed right behing Verstappen for almost the whole race, unable to pass on the narrow Suzuka circuit.
“I could see Max quite clearly for the whole race but just couldn’t quite make any inroads," Norris said, unsurprised Verstappen was flawless and left him no openings.
“I don’t need anyone to tell me what Max is capable of doing,” he said.
Piastri and Norris both suggested their cars were slightly quicker than most this season. But the gap with other frontrunners Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari is narrow.
“I think we have a small advantage," Piastri said. “But any small mistake and there’s a lot of competition there to capitalize.”
Sunday's start was clean with Verstappen taking the lead with the top starters on the grid falling into line behind him. Verstappen slowly stretched his lead and was two seconds ahead of Norris after 10 of 53 laps and kept the same advantage after 15.
Antonelli led briefly in the middle of the race as he stayed out longer on his first set of tires. At 18 he became the youngest to ever lead an F1 race. In addition, he also had the fastest lap — the youngest to do that, too.
Verstappen was back in the lead after 32 laps, only 1.3 seconds ahead of Norris and 3.4 up on Piastri. On the 36th lap the team radio told him: “Push from here.”
He did just that, pushing all the way to his 64th career win.
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia celebrates with his third place trophy on the podium after the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, right, is sprayed champagne by second placed, McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain, second left, and third place McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia, left, on the podium after the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, center, is sprayed champagne by second placed, McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain, left, and third place McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia, top, on the podium after the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates after the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates with his trophy on the podium after the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates with his trophy after winning the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates with his trophy on the podium after the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, center, of the Netherlands celebrates after winning the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, right, of the Netherlands celebrates after winning the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama, Pool)
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia steers his car during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain steers his car during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, left, celebrates with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, right, after winning the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama, Pool)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates after winning the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama, Pool)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates after qualifying session for the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
McLaren drivers Lando Norris of Britain, left, and Oscar Piastri of Australia, right, talk after qualifying session for the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, left, is accompanied with McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain, center, and McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia, right, after qualifying session for the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands gets pushed back into his garage during the qualifying session for the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama, Pool)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates after the qualifying session for the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates after the qualifying session for the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
