Kirby did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing four runs on eight hits over six innings against the Royals. He struck out two.
Kirby pitched well for most of the afternoon, allowing one run over the first five innings before four consecutive hits and a sac fly led to three more runs coming across for Kansas City in the sixth. Kirby had allowed one or fewer runs in each of his previous three starts coming in, while his two strikeouts on the afternoon matched his season low. He now holds a 2.05 ERA through three August starts and has not issued a walk over that stretch.