Mitch Garver's 2-run homer sends Mariners to 2-0 win over punchless Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Mitch Garver hit a two-run homer, Logan Gilbert threw 5 2/3 sharp innings and the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals 2-0 on Friday night.

Cole Young walked to open the seventh inning before Garver squared up a 1-0 sinker from Nick Mears (2-3) and launched a 406-foot shot to left field.

Gilbert surrendered two hits and struck out six while walking four. Eduard Bazardo (3-2) followed with 1 1/3 hitless innings, Matt Brash worked out of trouble in the eighth and Andrés Muñoz pitched the ninth for his ninth save.

The teams combined for nine hits. Julio Rodríguez doubled and singled for Seattle, and Garver also went 2 for 4.

Kansas City's Noah Cameron struck out a career-high eight while allowing four hits in six innings, his first scoreless start in nine outings this season.

The Royals have lost five straight at home and have scored nine runs in their last six games.

RHP George Kirby (5-3, 3.45 ERA) takes the mound for the Mariners while RHP Stephen Kolek (2-0, 4.24) gets the start for the Royals on Saturday.

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

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Noah Cameron throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, May 22, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, May 22, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Garver (18) celebrates with Cole Young (2) after hitting a two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, May 22, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Garver hits a two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, May 22, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Fantasy met reality for Wade Meckler in his debut for the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night when he hit a three-homer in the first inning and Mike Trout greeted him at home plate with a high-five.

“Yeah, it’s pretty surreal,” Meckler said after the Angels’ 9-6 victory over the Texas Rangers. “You grow up watching the guy on TV every day for 10 years, and all of a sudden he’s your teammate. It’s pretty cool.”

Meckler, the 26-year-old who played at nearby Anaheim Esperanza High School, was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake to replace the struggling Josh Lowe in left field earlier Friday.

Meckler raced toward the left-field line and made a sliding catch of Brandon Nimmo’s fly ball before crashing into the wall in foul territory to end the top of the first.

Zach Neto led off the first with the first of his two homers, and Meckler capped the four-run inning by driving a 98-mph fastball from two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom into the right-field seats for his first big league homer and a 4-0 lead.

“Wade Meckler set the tone for the game today,” winning pitcher Grayson Rodriguez said. “Neto’s leadoff homer was great, but Wade hitting that ball off deGrom, that’s what got me going, like, put it in four-wheel drive and let’s go.”

Meckler drew a four-pitch walk in the third and reached on an infield single in the fifth before being replaced by Jose Siri in the top of the ninth.

“It was sick,” Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe said. “It was an awesome homer for him. The energy he brought in spring training was contagious, and he picked up right where he left off with the boys here.”

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

Los Angeles Angels left fielder Wade Meckler makes a catch on a foul ball hit by Texas Rangers' Brandon Nimmo during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 22, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Angels' Wade Meckler, left, hits a three-run home run home plate as umpire Sean Barber, center, and Texas Rangers catcher Danny Jansen watch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Friday, May 22, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Angels left fielder Wade Meckler slides into the wall after making a catch on a foul ball hit by Texas Rangers' Brandon Nimmo during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 22, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Angels' Wade Meckler hits a three-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Friday, May 22, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Angels' Wade Meckler, left, hits a three-run home run home plate as umpire Sean Barber watches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Friday, May 22, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)