Yordan Alvarez was not going to let the Houston Astros’ home run futility against George Kirby continue any longer.
Kirby started Friday’s game for the Seattle Mariners in their series opener versus the Astros at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. The start was Kirby’s 12th opposite the Astros in his five-year MLB career.
In his first 11 starts against the Astros, Kirby had not allowed a home run across 254 plate appearances. Alvarez put an end to that nonsense in Astros plate appearance No. 256 against Kirby. Houston’s beefy second batter of the game rocked a 1-0 changeup deep to right field for his 36th home run of the game.
He just keeps MASHING 🚀
— MLB (@MLB) August 15, 2026
Home run No. 36 for Yordan Alvarez! pic.twitter.com/vwYBo2LkPB
For reference, Kirby had allowed 23 home runs combined against the AL West’s Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels, and Athletics. Alvarez’s big fly on Friday finally got the Astros on the board for the first time.
Yordan Alvarez's home run off George Kirby is the first Kirby has ever allowed to an Astros hitter — across a span of 12 starts and 255 plate appearances
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 15, 2026
Kirby may have been a victim of unfortunate timing. Alvarez, who entered Friday’s game tied for the AL lead with 35 home runs, had not hit a ball into the seats in his last 13 games.
Alvarez was spotted taking on-field batting practice before the game — a rare sight for Alvarez — in an apparent bid to break his big fly drought.
