Kirby opened with a first-pitch strike to Keith and later allowed the two-out single that sparked Detroit’s offense in Game 1, contributing to a tightly contested ALDS opener.

Kirby was kept in for a third matchup with Carpenter and paid for it when Carpenter belted a homer that flipped the game. Kirby exited after 94 pitches, with late-order struggles underscoring questions about third-time-through effectiveness.

Kirby’s sharp five-inning stint included a lone homer to Carpenter in a tough loss, showing he can miss bats and keep hitters honest while facing mounting pressure in a playoff start.

Kirby was touched by Carpenter’s fifth-inning two-run homer after opening the game strong, illustrating the challenges he faced to contain Detroit’s lineup in a marathon start.

Seattle starter who dominates edges with plus-plus stuff; Tigers must extend at-bats to challenge him.