The Seattle Mariners defeated the Kansas City Royals 2-0 on Friday night at Kauffman Stadium, powered by a two-run home run from Mitch Garver and a strong pitching performance from Logan Gilbert.
The game remained scoreless until the top of the seventh inning.
Cole Young drew a leadoff walk from Royals reliever Nick Mears, and Garver followed by driving a 1-0 sinker 406 feet into the left-field stands.
The blast provided the only runs of the contest and dropped Mears to a 2-3 record.
Gilbert earned the win, striking out six batters and allowing just two hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings despite issuing four walks.
The Seattle bullpen preserved the shutout: Eduard Bazardo threw 1 1/3 hitless innings to improve to 3-2, Matt Brash escaped trouble in the eighth, and Andrés Muñoz secured his ninth save in the ninth.
The two teams combined for only nine total hits.
Julio Rodríguez led the Mariners with a double and a single, while Garver finished 2-for-4 at the plate.
Royals starter Noah Cameron struck out a career-high eight batters, surrendering four hits over six scoreless innings.
It was his first start without allowing a run in nine appearances this season.
The loss extended Kansas City's home losing streak to five games. The slumping Royals offense has scored just nine runs over their last six games.
The three-game series continues Saturday.
Right-hander George Kirby (5-3, 3.45 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Mariners, while the Royals will counter with right-hander Stephen Kolek (2-0, 4.24 ERA).
