ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Watching their starting pitcher leave the game after four innings due to an injury made the night bad.
Having the back end of their bullpen blow a two-run lead in the bottom of the eighth with their best reliever giving up the go-ahead two-run single made it miserable.
The Seattle Mariners struggles to find a way to avoid defeat on the road continued in a 4-3 loss to the Rays on Monday at Tropicana Field.
But the possibility of losing a member of their starting rotation for at least two weeks if not longer felt far worse than the defeat.
In a season already sidetracked due to health issues, right-hander Bryan Woo exited the game in the fourth inning due to hamstring tightness and his status for his next start is uncertain.
After apparently feeling discomfort in his right hamstring on a 96-mph first-pitch fastball to Taylor Walls in the fourth inning, Woo was forced to leave his outing after just 60 pitches.
Having given up a leadoff single to Richie Palacios, Woo attacked Walls with a fastball to get ahead. As he stepped back to the mound, he started to reach for the back of his right leg.
Catcher Cal Raleigh immediately saw Woo’s reaction and notified manager Scott Servais that there was an issue. Servais and trainer Kyle Torgerson made their way to the mound to meet with Woo.
After a brief discussion, Woo tried to stretch the hamstring and attempt a warm-up pitch. But the hamstring grabbed as he tried to simulate his delivery home.
Woo tried to hide his dejection, but it couldn’t be missed as he limped off the field.
The Mariners later announced that Woo had left the game with hamstring tightness. He will likely undergo a MRI on the hamstring on Tuesday. If Seattle has to put him on the injured list, they will likely call up a reliever for the time being. Because they have an off-day on Thursday, the Mariners could skip Woo’s spot in the rotation if needed.
Servais called on lefty Tayler Saucedo to replace Woo. But he allowed Palacios to score without a hit. Saucedo made a bad pickoff throw to first that got past Ty France and allowed Palacios to advance all the way to third. Saucedo then uncorked a wild pitch that allowed the run, which was charged to Woo, to score.
After he missed the first month of the season due to elbow issues, the Mariners have been cautious with Woo’s pitch and inning totals in his return, limiting him to 85 pitches in some outings and even fewer in others.
Two weeks ago, the Mariners had to scratch Woo from his scheduled start in Seattle due to some forearm discomfort. He underwent a precautionary MRI that showed no structural damage to his forearm and surgically repaired ulnar collateral ligament.
