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.

Up next

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.

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