Young’s three-run homer, Kirby’s stellar start lift M’s over Guardians, 5-1

Cole Young fouled off strike one. He fouled off strike two. But when the Mariners desperately needed the “big swing,” Seattle’s second baseman found the barrel.

For three-plus innings, the M’s went quietly. They mustered just one hit before Young stepped into the box in the fourth, trailing Cleveland 1-0 on a Friday night seemingly bound for frustration. Young flipped that script.

He crushed an 0-2 four-seamer offered over the middle by Guardians starter Gavin Williams — a two-out, three-run homer following walks by Randy Arozarena and Dominic Canzone. Mariners right-hander George Kirby threw six stellar innings, outfielder Luke Raley added a two-run homer, and Seattle beat Cleveland, 5-1, for their first win of the season at T-Mobile Park. Cleveland squandered their best chance to respond with one of more questionable tag-ups from third base you’ll ever see.

The Guardians loaded the bases with one out in the fifth when Steven Kwan lifted a shallow fly ball to Arozarena in left field. Rhys Hoskins, at third, had no business attempting to score on a sacrifice fly. But there he went.