Rojas, Moore, Robles hit consecutive HRs in 1st, Mariners beat White Sox 10-0

CHICAGO (AP) — Josh Rojas, Dylan Moore and Victor Robles hit consecutive homers in Seattle’s eight-run first inning and the Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox 10-0 on Friday night to end a three-game slide.

George Kirby pitched seven strong innings and Jorge Polanco added a two-run drive in the fourth as Seattle won for just the second time in 10 games and handed the major-league worst White Sox their 12th straight loss. Chicago was also shut out for the 13th time this season.

The Mariners remained one game behind first-place Houston in the AL West after once having a 10-game lead in the division.

Seattle hadn’t gone deep back-to-back this season until they teed off against Chicago rookie Drew Thorpe, scoring all eight runs against the right-hander with two outs. The Mariners last hit three straight homers on June 21, 2022, at Oakland.

“A great game for our offense tonight,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. “We had been struggling in the worst way. I'm really happy for our guys to jump out like we did today.”

The Mariners entered having scored two runs or fewer in seven of their previous eight games, but didn’t wait for the arrival of All-Star outfielder Randy Arozarena to kick-start their offense. Arozarena was added via trade from Tampa Bay late on Thursday and reliever Yimi García was acquired from Toronto on Friday. Both are expected to join the Mariners on Saturday.

“We have to keep it going, certainly with all the action today, all the transactions,” Servais said. “You know it does spark some things once and a while in guys and hopefully it continues tomorrow when these players show up.”

Kirby (8-7) allowed six hits, struck out seven and walked one in coasting to his first win in a month despite nine straight quality starts. The right-hander had all the runs he needed before he took the mound.

“Yeah, that was awesome,” Kirby said. “I was sitting in the tunnel with a big smile on my face. You've just got to stay locked in with the eight-run lead and can't take anyone lightly."

Mitch Garver, batting .177, reached base five times with three hits and two walks.

The Mariners already led 3-0 when Rojas connected for a three-run drive into the right-field bullpen off Thorpe’s center-cut fastball. Moore and Robles followed with solo shots to chase the 23-year-old from his eighth major league start.

The Mariners were waiting on Thorpe's fastball and didn't miss.

“That was the goal, to be on the heater,” Rojas said. “We know he has a really good changeup and that was going to be his pitch. So if we could get him up off the bottom of the zone and hung a fastball, we'd be in a pretty good spot.”

Jason Vosler got the rally started with a two-run single. Garver followed with an RBI double.

The White Sox (27-79) have lost 18 of 21 and are 52 or more games under .500 for the first time they were 49-102 in 1932. Chicago has matched the 1962 Mets for the worst record through 106 games and is on pace to equal the expansion New York club for 120 losses, the most since the 19th century.

Tommy Pham had three of Chicago’s seven hits.

Thorpe (3-2), acquired in a trade that sent Dylan Cease to San Diego, entered with a 3.03 ERA. The 6-foot-4 righty had allowed five runs over 30 1/3 innings in his previous five outings for a 1.48 ERA over the span.

In this one, Thorpe allowed eight runs and six hits, walking two while getting only two outs.

“He gave up five hits in a row on five fastballs,' Chicago manager Pedro Grifol said. “That’s basically not his game. His game is mixing it up."

ADDED DEAL

Seattle also dealt RHP Ryne Stanek to the Mets for minor league outfielder Rhylan Thomas on Friday.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mariners: RHP Gregory Santos, who suffered a knee injury on Wednesday, had an MRI “that came back OK,” and he could be available for Saturday’s game, manager Scott Servais said.

UP NEXT

Mariners RHP Bryan Woo (4-1, 2.54) takes the mound against White Sox RHP Erick Fedde (7-3, 2.98) on Saturday night.

AP MLB: https://www.apnews.com/hub/MLB

Chicago White Sox catcher Korey Lee talks, right, with starting pitcher Drew Thorpe during the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Seattle Mariners' Jason Vosler watches his two-run single off Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Drew Thorpe in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, July 26, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Seattle Mariners pitcher George Kirby delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

The Seattle Mariners celebrate after their shutout of the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game Friday, July 26, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

The Seattle Mariners' Jason Vosler (35) and Josh Rojas celebrate their shutout of the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game Friday, July 26, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Seattle Mariners catcher Mitch Garver, left, talks with starting pitcher George Kirby, right, during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Drew Thorpe wipes his face after being pulled after giving up eight runs in the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Seattle Mariners' Jason Vosler (35) greets Josh Rojas (4) at home after Rojas' three-run home run off Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Drew Thorpe in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, July 26, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Seattle Mariners' Jason Vosler follows through on a two-run single off Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Drew Thorpe in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, July 26, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Seattle Mariners' Dylan Moore watches his home run off Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Drew Thorpe during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, July 26, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Seattle Mariners' Josh Rojas rounds the bases after his three-run home run off Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Drew Thorpe in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, July 26, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

LONDON, Ky. (AP) — Multiple people were shot Saturday along Interstate 75 in a rural area of southeastern Kentucky, authorities said.

The Laurel County Sheriff's Office said in a post on Facebook that it was an “active shooter situation” and “numerous persons” were shot near the highway. It added that the interstate was closed 9 miles north of London.

In a video statement, London Mayor Randall Weddle said was told seven people were hurt, but not all of those were wounded by gunfire. Some of the victims were injured in a vehicle accident, he said.

“There are no deceased at this time. No one was killed from this, thankfully, but we ask that you continue to pray,” Weddle said.

The sheriff’s office also announced that a “Person of Interest” has been identified in connection with the shooting, saying he should be considered armed and dangerous and people should not approach him. The man’s name was given as Joseph A. Couch, a 32-year-old white male, and anyone with information about his location was urged to call the county 911 center.

A “heavy presence of police and fire personnel” was on the scene and “working diligently to address the situation,” the Mount Vernon Fire Department said in a statement. It advised motorists to avoid I-75 and US 25.

“I am receiving initial reports from the Kentucky State Police and our Office of Homeland Security — together we are actively monitoring the situation and offering support in any way possible,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a post on the social platform X. “Please pray for everyone involved.”

“We will provide more details once they are available,” Beshear said.

London is a a small city with a population of about 8,000 located about 75 miles (120 miles) south of Lexington.

This image released by the Mount Vernon Fire Department shows traffic stopped during an active shooting on Interstate 75 north of London, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Camden Mink/Mount Vernon Fire Department via AP)