Mariners clinch Padres series with tense 4-3 win in rubber match

Eugenio Suárez has the key hit for the Mariners in a game which also sees the end of Bryan Woo’s impressive streak of 6.0+ inning starts.

For all the inconsistency the Seattle Mariners have shown at times this season, there’s never been any doubt this is a talented roster which can compete with anyone on their day. They proved this again on Wednesday afternoon by beating a San Diego Padres team which had entered this three-game series tied for the NL West lead with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

As a result of the win, the Mariners took the series and finished the season with an impressive 5-1 record versus one of the top teams in the NL. However, as indicated by the final score of 4-3 in the rubber match, the Mariners didn’t make it easy for themselves.

The game started well enough for the Mariners, as they took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second through Luke Raley’s first hit and RBI since returning from injury. Then two innings later it was the turn of Eugenio Suárez, with his second three-run homer in two days to help him equal his career-high of 104 RBI.

Whether this marks the beginning of Suárez’s return to his form from earlier this season remains to be seen. Either way, the Mariners seemed in control with a 4-0 lead and Bryan Woo having another Bryan Woo kind of a day.

Mariners ace does it again but innings streak ends

Through five innings Woo was well on his way to making it 26 consecutive starts of 6.0+ innings to begin the season. However, after allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out five through those five innings, it all started to go wrong for the righty.

First Woo hit Ramon Laureano with a pitch and then after recording his sixth strikeout allowed a single to put two men on base for the Padres. He managed to record his second out but then gave up a RBI single to Gavin Sheets, to pull the visitors to within 4-1.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson desperately wanted to give Woo the chance to extend his streak of going 6.0+ innings. However, after another single loaded the bases, Wilson had little choice but to go to Gabe Speier, leave the M’s ace one agonzing out short of extending his record.

To rub salt into the wound, Woo would subsequently be charged with a second earned run after Speier hit Jake Cronenworth with a pitch to make it 4-2. Fortunately for the M’s, the reliever managed to get the required third out before it got any more messy for the home side.

Bullpen does its job but it gets nervy in the ninth

Matt Brash and Eduard Bazardo both then did their job by each pitching a scoreless inning, with Bazardo in particular deserving credit for appearing in a third consecutive game. However, there was still time in the ninth inning to cause some more anxiety among the 37,600 in attendance at T-Mobile Park.

All-Star Andres Munoz came in to close the door, but instead opened it further as he continued his recent struggles (at least by his high standards). The two-time All-Star allowed two doubles, with the second one by Fernando Tatis Jr, bringing Cronenworth home to cut the M’s lead to 4-3.

Tatis then stole third base to really put the pressure on, but Munoz responded by forcing the final out with a ground to third base to end the game. It was the Mexico native’s 31st save of the season, which is a career-high and also third-most in the majors.

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Bryan Woo discusses his outing

Afterwards, Woo spoke to the media about the end of his 6.0+ innings streak and while he was frustrated, he ultimately knew it was on. He said:

“You just want to be in those spots and finish the job, and I just wasn’t able to do it. You know Dan gave me more than a long enough leash, giving me the opportunity to try to get out of it. I didn’t do my job.”

In respect of not doing his job, Woo was referring to Jose Iglesias’ single which ended his outing. It was only a weak hit which he came off the mound and got to in time, but unfortunately his throw to first base was slightly too late.

Woo knew right away what it could mean, and his fears were confirmed when Wilson came out to the mound. Talking about his slightly late throw, he said:

“Yeah it was do-or-die. I know he’s not like a burner, but he can run all right so you’ve got to get rid of the ball. Yeah, I definitely wanted that one back. I don’t know. I’m going to be watching that inning for probably a little while.”

Despite the end of the impressive streak, Woo still deservedly claimed his 12th win of the season, which doubles as a career-high. He remains the best starter in the M’s rotation, leading them all with a 3.8 rWAR, 2.95 ERA and 0.953 WHIP while also recording a 3.56 FIP.

The 25-year-old’s importance to the team and standing as one of the best starters in the majors overall is only enhanced by looking at his Baseball Savant page. This is highlighted by ranking in the 100th percentile for Fasball Run Value and 96th percentile for Pitching Run Value.

Not that any of this will be at the forefront of Woo’s mind, with him being the ultimate competitor and always pushing himself to be even better. As such, his comment about rewatching the sixth inning makes perfect sense.

Mariners manager pleased with his pitching staff overall

Still, Woo’s manager is extremely proud of him. Speaking to the media postgame, Wilson said:

“Unfortunately for Bryan Woo the streak is over, but (he) pitched his heart out again today. I thought he just had a great outing again. Good fastballs early, mixed in his secondaries as he does. That sixth inning was a little hairy I thought .. but outside of that he pitched an outstanding ballgame.”

Despite Woo getting plenty of deserved attention, Wilson was also delighted with what he saw from the bullpen on the day. He said:

“Just a great job again by the bullpen, coming in and slamming the door against what we talked about being a very good lineup over there in San Diego. Bazardo going three days in a row. We’ve leaned on him hard and he has just delivered; two punch outs looking and leading a ground ball in a huge inning. Munzo slamming it in the ninth.”

With the win the Mariners now improve to 72-62, are 1.5 games behind the Houston Astros and maintain a 3.0 game advantage for the final wild card spot in the AL. They headed out on Wednesday night for what could be a season-defining road trip, beginning with a three-game series on Friday night against a Cleveland Guardians team fighting to stay in wild card contention.

Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rodgers Photography

Given how poorly things went on the Mariners’ last road trip, how do you predict things will play out this time around? Aside from Cleveland, the nine-game road trip will include stops in Tampa Bay and Atlanta. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.