The Mariners stumbled yet again, dropping a winnable game 6-5 against the Athletics in West Sacramento, a brutal blow that inches the team closer to the edge. Losing a game we absolutely, positively needed to take, especially against a team like this, just feels like a gut punch when every single pitch counts.
Woo Was Electric, So What Went Wrong?
Bryan Woo took the mound for his 28th start of the season, and you just knew he was going to bring the heat. Last time out, he was absolutely dialed in, going eight innings, giving up just one hit, two walks, and fanning nine batters. We all know his dominance at T-Mobile Park is legendary, a real calling card for him. But lately, even on the road, the kid has been finding his rhythm!
In his last three road starts, Woo has logged two quality starts, keeping opponents under two runs, and striking out five or more guys in each outing. Since the start of August, his road ERA ranks as the 6th best in all of MLB, and his road WHIP, a ridiculous .86, puts him at 11th in the league. And against these specific Athletics? Since 2023, Woo boasts a ridiculous 1.95 ERA. He’s from Oakland, folks. You gotta wonder if he took this one personally, especially after the whole team move situation. The stage was set, the numbers were there, everything pointed to a Mariners victory. We were set up for it! How do you lose a game when all the stars align for your ace?
Nine Games From Elimination? This Can’t Be Happening.
This loss stings even more because of where we stand. We’re six games out of the AL West, six games out of that last Wild Card spot, and the number that makes your stomach drop: nine games from elimination. Nine! That’s it. While it’s technically possible for our M’s to pull off a miracle run over these last 13 games, given how frustratingly inconsistent this team has played all year, it’s feeling more and more like a long shot. We went into West Sacramento hoping for a series victory, for some shred of pride, not to drop another series that felt completely winnable at such a crucial time.
There were moments, sure. Cole Young, our second baseman, making a fantastic play to tag out Carlos Cortes on a steal attempt in the sixth inning, keeping us in it. But those flashes of brilliance aren’t enough when the final score doesn’t go our way. We need to win, period. We needed this one.
So, what’s next for our M’s? The schedule gives us a bit of a lifeline, with a couple of road series against the Rockies and the Angels before our final home stands of the season against the Astros and the Angels again. It’s a pretty weak schedule remaining, and if things break our way, just maybe, the Mariners could slip into the playoffs at the last minute. It’s a long shot, but we’re Seattle fans. We’ve gotta believe, right? We have to. It’s all we’ve got left.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Lookout Landing.
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