Recap: Mariners throw combined 3-hitter, beat Reds 8-0

SEATTLE (AP) — Cal Raleigh hit his sixth career grand slam, George Kirby and three relievers combined for a three-hitter and the Seattle Mariners beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-0 on Monday night.

Seattle Mariners 8, Cincinnati Reds 0: Box score | Standings

The Mariners (51-50) are above .500 for the first time in nearly two weeks and moved a half-game ahead of Texas (50-50) in the AL West.

In the seventh inning, Reds lefty Caleb Ferguson intentionally walked Dominic Canzone to load the bases for Raleigh, last year’s AL MVP runner-up. On the first pitch of the at-bat, Raleigh turned on a hanging breaking ball, sending it 408 feet into the left field bleachers to make it 7-0.

Watch: Cal Raleigh makes Reds pay with grand slam

Kirby (8-8), who struck out six and walked one, needed only 80 pitches in his sixth straight quality start. Edwin Arroyo was the lone Reds hitter to advance past second base, and he was thrown out at home with ease by Mariners right fielder Victor Robles on a shallow fly ball in the third.

Rodríguez hit an RBI single off Andrew Abbott (5-6) to make it 1-0 in the fifth. He hit a chopper to Elly De La Cruz, and the Reds shortstop’s throw to first base was off line. Robles scored from third base and Rodríguez reached base safely, but exited the game soon after for undisclosed reasons.

On the board 🤝 pic.twitter.com/AO007hMI1Z

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) July 21, 2026

Robles moved from right field to center field after Rodríguez departed. Weston Wilson, who entered for Rodríguez, made it 3-0 with an RBI single in the seventh.

Nick Davila, Cole Wilcox and Michael Rucker pitched hitless innings of relief to preserve the shutout.

Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford was a late scratch from the lineup. Colt Emerson replaced him, and hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh to increase Seattle’s lead to 2-0.

Mariners detail injury concerns with Julio and J.P.

Reds designated hitter Eugenio Suarez, who played parts of three seasons for the Mariners, was greeted with a standing ovation when he led off the second.

Up next

RHP Luis Castillo (3-8, 4.93) gets the nod for Seattle in the second game of the three-game series against Reds RHP Chase Burns (11-1, 2.54).

Seattle Mariners news and more

• ESPN’s Passan believes Cal Raleigh ‘will fix himself’
• Five Mariners storylines we’re watching in the second half
• Seattle Mariners’ expected timelines on three injured relievers

Related

Mariners could face old friend Marco Gonzales in Rangers seriesSuárez homers against his former team, Reds beat Mariners 4-2Reds pitcher – a former Mariner – apologizes for outburst at umpireMLB players propose expanded draft eligibility in latest bargaining sessionMariners taking it slow with Julio, J.P. after injury scaresMariners sign first-round pick Ace Reese; 2 draftees remain unsigned