ARLINGTON, Texas — Kyle Higashioka gave Texas the lead with a two-run homer, Nathan Eovaldi recorded his 1,500th career strikeout during six solid innings and the Rangers beat the Seattle Mariners 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Higashioka’s liner just over the wall in left field in the fifth put the Rangers in front 3-2 against George Kirby, who lost to Texas for the first time in 11 career starts. The right-hander won eight of those first 10.
Brendan Donovan homered to right on the first pitch of the game in Eovaldi’s 300th career start, but the 36-year-old right-hander settled in and struck out seven, including Josh Naylor for his 1,500th to end the first inning. Eovaldi (1-2) allowed six hits and two runs.
Jacob Latz finished two perfect innings with strikeouts of Naylor and Randy Arozarena, who combined to go 0-for-8 with seven strikeouts from the 4-5 spots in the Seattle order. The left-hander set a franchise record by holding opponents hitless in 28 at-bats to start the season.
“We were able to work a couple walks and get a couple base hits, but not able to get the significant runs across tonight,” Seattle manager Dan Wilson said.