6-5 – Higgy’s homer helps Rangers to 3-2 win over M’s

Apr 7, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka (11) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images The Texas Rangers scored three runs while the Seattle Mariners scored two runs. I have this impression that George Kirby is one of the greatest pitchers to ever live because I’ve mostly only ever seen him pitch against the Rangers and when Kirby pitches against the Rangers, he’s one of the greatest pitchers to ever live.

Coming into tonight’s game, Kirby was 8-0 with an ERA of 1. 04 in his career spanning ten starts and 60 2/3 innings against Texas. Simply put, Kirby has been one of the all-time Rangers slayers on the mound.

So imagine my not-surprise when the offensively-challenged-at-home Rangers were getting shut down by Kirby on like 30 something pitches through four scoreless frames. I was certain the Rangers were going to get shutout on a turbo Maddux on like 65 pitches by Kirby and it would have been like maybe one of his second or third best outings against them. But a weird little thing happened .

In the top of the fifth, after Texas starter Nathan Eovaldi had shrugged off a first pitch home run by Brendan Donovan to give the Mariners an immediate 1-0 lead, Eovaldi got into a spot of trouble with three consecutive two-out baserunners that scored Seattle’s second run. Eovaldi needed a ton of pitches to get out of the inning without further damage but for as brisk as Kirby was working, it offered a moment where he had to sit and wait. This effectively worked to ice Kirby as in the bottom of the inning the Rangers ambushed the righty for three runs and a lead.