Bryan Woo's 9 strikeouts led the Mariners to a 6-1 win over the Rangers on June 28. See how his masterpiece and a Canzone homer secured the series win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a performance that had Mariners fans buzzing, Bryan Woo took the mound in Texas and absolutely dominated. The young right-hander carved up the Rangers lineup for six masterful innings, leading Seattle to a crucial 6-1 victory on Saturday night. The win pushes the M's to 41-39 on the season and secures a vital series win against their AL West rivals.
Bryan Woo was simply untouchable, striking out nine Rangers over six innings while allowing just one lone run.
Forget the Texas heat; the real fire on Saturday was coming off the right hand of Bryan Woo. From the first pitch, Woo was in complete control, mixing his pitches with precision and keeping the Rangers hitters guessing all night. He racked up an impressive nine strikeouts over six innings of work, surrendering just a single run. It was the kind of ace-like performance that can energize an entire team, especially on the road against a tough divisional opponent. Woo's ability to miss bats and command the strike zone was the undisputed story of the game.
While Woo was dealing, the offense provided just enough thunder to back him up. Dominic Canzone provided the biggest spark, launching a solo home run to right field for his fifth long ball of the season. That insurance run was part of a collective effort. Cal Raleigh continued his solid work, getting on base twice and scoring a run, while Randy Arozarena and Luke Raley both chipped in with key hits. It wasn't an offensive explosion, but it was exactly what was needed: timely, effective, and enough to let their starter cook.
Fans might have been surprised to see Jorge Polanco's name missing from the starting lineup, especially after his solid contribution in Friday's win. However, the move appeared to be a strategic day of rest. With Polanco on the bench, Julio Rodríguez slid into the designated hitter spot, allowing the Mariners to field an athletic outfield of Randy Arozarena, Luke Raley, and Dominic Canzone. This kind of lineup flexibility is a huge asset and shows the team is focused on managing workloads for the long haul of the season.
Securing a series win in Arlington is a massive confidence booster for this Mariners squad. With Bryan Woo looking like a budding ace and the offense finding ways to contribute, the team is showing the fight needed to climb the standings. Now at 41-39, the M's will look to complete the sweep on Sunday and carry that momentum forward. Every divisional win counts, and this weekend has been a big step in the right direction.
