HOUSTON (AP) — Seattle’s George Kirby didn’t get the results he wanted in his season debut Thursday night against the Houston Astros. The right-hander was still encouraged in his return to the mound after a lengthy absence.
“I felt great to be back out there,” he said. “My body feels good; just didn’t go the way I wanted to tonight. But it’s a great step just being back with the boys, being with the team. And yeah, just got to do my job next time.”
Kirby allowed six hits and five runs with four strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings of a 9-2 loss after sitting out all season with inflammation in his throwing shoulder.
“The velo was good and he was attacking,” manager Dan Wilson said. “They were able to get some baserunners, he did break a couple bats in the process, but seeing George out there and him attacking with his stuff is what you love to see and definitely something to build on.”
It was tied with two outs in the fourth when Jake Meyers singled off Kirby before Cam Smith walked. Mauricio Dubón’s single on a grounder to right field scored Meyers to put Houston on top 3-2.
Jeremy Peña then sent two more home with his triple off the wall in left-center to make it 5-2 and chase Kirby.
“My heater felt awesome,” Kirby said. “I think just kind of execution, certain situations with two strikes, two outs, just got to put guys away.”
Kirby started 33 games last season to tie for the major league lead. He was 14-11 with a 3.53 ERA with 179 strikeouts and 23 walks in 191 innings.
He was an AL All-Star in 2023, when he made 31 starts and went 13-10 with a 3.35 ERA in 190 2/3 innings.
Following his injury diagnosis, Kirby made only one appearance in spring training this year. He followed with three rehab starts at Triple-A Tacoma.
He believes he can build on Thursday’s start.
“I could take some things to learn from today,” he said. “Obviously didn’t go the way I wanted to, but I was trying to take a couple of things from today and, most importantly, I felt good, so kind of just take that for the next start.”
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — De'Aaron Fox scored 29 points, and the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-102 on Thursday for their third win over the defending NBA champs in the past two weeks.
The Spurs also defeated the Thunder in an NBA Cup semifinal on Dec. 13 and in San Antonio on Tuesday. The teams meet again on Jan. 13 in Oklahoma City.
Victor Wembanyama had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Stephon Castle had 19 points and seven assists for the Spurs (23-7). San Antonio shot 53.6% from the field and held the Thunder to 38.9% shooting.
It was San Antonio's eighth straight win and Oklahoma City's first home loss of the season. The Thunder entered the day at the top of the Western Conference standings, with the Spurs in second.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 points, but the reigning league MVP made just 7 of 19 field goals. He scored at least 20 points for the 102nd consecutive game.
Isaiah Hartenstein had 13 points and 12 rebounds and Chet Holmgren added 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City started the season 24-1, tied for the league's all-time best record through 25 games. The Thunder are 2-4 since, including the three losses to the Spurs.
The Thunder made their first seven field goals and went up 18-12 before Fox helped the Spurs fight back. His 21 points in the first half helped San Antonio head into the break with a 69-60 lead.
The Spurs pushed the lead to 85-68 midway through the third quarter, and a dunk by Dylan Harper late in the third quarter put the Spurs up 91-74. The Spurs led 95-79 at the end of the period and maintained control from there.
Spurs: Host the Utah Jazz on Saturday.
Thunder: Host the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) block against San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)
San Antonio Spurs Victor Wembanyama (1) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Jalen Williams (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)
San Antonio Spurs Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder center/forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)
Oklahoma City Thunder Chet Holmgren (7) goes for the rebound against San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)
San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox (4) shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder Chet Holmgren (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)
