Kolek’s shutout leads Royals past Mariners 5-0
The Royals' right-hander worked around four hits and one walk for his second career complete game shutout.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MAY 23: Starting pitcher Stephen Kolek #32 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the 1st inning of the game against the Seattle Mariners at Kauffman Stadium on May 23, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Stephen Kolek threw a complete-game shutout, Carter Jensen had two RBIs and the Kansas City Royals beat the Seattle Mariners 5-0 on Saturday to end a four-game losing streak.
Kansas City Royals 5, Seattle Mariners 0: Box Score
Kolek (3-0) allowed a walk, four hits and struck out two. He needed just 108 pitches to go all nine innings in a game that lasted only 2:06. The 108 pitches were four more than his previous career high.
It was Kolek’s second career shutout in 23 starts and the seventh complete game and fourth shutout in the major leagues this season. Kolek’s other shutout was a five-hitter in a 21-0 win at Colorado on May 10 of last season while pitching for San Diego.
Kolek joined Chris Archer and Mike Montgomery as the only pitchers to debut since 2010 with two shutouts in their first 23 career starts.
The Royals took a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Maikel Garcia led off with a double and scored on a fielder’s choice grounder by Vinnie Pasquantino. Jensen had a RBI grounder and Pasquantino later scored on Jac Caglianone’s single.
Jensen added a sacrifice fly in the third inning that scored Bobby Witt Jr., who went 2 for 4 and scored twice.
Kansas City added a run in the sixth on Isaac Collins’ RBI single that scored Jensen.
George Kirby (5-4) went six innings and gave up all five runs, three earned, and nine hits and struck out three.
Up next
The Mariners will send RHP Bryan Woo (4-2, 3.51 ERA) to the mound and the Royals will start RHP Seth Lugo (1-4, 3.68) in the series finale on Sunday.
More on the Seattle Mariners
• Morosi: Why piggyback is still Mariners’ best option for rotation
• Salk: What J.P. Crawford is doing for Seattle Mariners is incredibly rare
• Seattle Mariners Move: RF Victor Robles returns from injured list
Related
Insider reports potential Mariners’ manager hire timeline
MLB qualifying offer for pending free agents rises 5.1% to $23.15 million
AL West Check-In: Athletics hire 31-year-old president of baseball operations
Mariners reportedly interested in former Twins manager
Dodgers’ loss ensures a small-spender World Series matchup
Why holding onto starting pitchers could be Mariners’ best option
Comments
1 Comments
Hard to watch the futility of the Mariners’ offense. Lifeless and anemic are adjectives that are apt. “Situational hitting” is for other teams, it seems to me. The last two games in Kansas City were exhibits A and B. Won on Friday because, as usual, the pitching was superb.
What is the reason the Mariners cannot hit the baseball?