Mariners’ Bryan Woo Aims to Extend Scoreless Streak Against Athletics
OAKLAND – Seattle Mariners’ right-hander Bryan Woo, hailing from Oakland, is ready to take the mound and keep his spotless record intact against the Athletics in Thursday’s afternoon showdown. With Woo’s impressive scoreless streak and stellar pitching on both sides, this game is set to be a nail-biter.
Woo’s Impressive Streak and Historical Context
Bryan Woo has been nothing short of phenomenal, boasting a 15 1/3 inning scoreless streak against the A’s, covering three career starts. This puts him among an elite group of pitchers, with only four others in MLB history having recorded 15 or more scoreless innings against the Athletics. The benchmark remains Cy Acosta’s 20 2/3 scoreless innings.
Woo’s season stats are just as impressive with a 2-0 record and a minuscule 1.30 ERA. He has managed to pitch shutout ball in three out of his five starts in May, including a dazzling six scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Angels. Despite battling elbow and shoulder issues, Woo is confident and prepared for his next outing.
“Nothing that I’m concerned about,” Woo said. “Injuries are never fun to deal with, but you just find a way to be ready to go on start day.”
Series Recap
Game Performances: The series has showcased some fantastic pitching from both teams. Mariners’ George Kirby outshined Mitch Spence in a tight 4-3 victory on Tuesday, while the A’s Joey Estes delivered a brilliant 6 1/3 scoreless innings to clinch a 2-1 win on Wednesday. Estes’ standout performance earned high praise from A’s manager Mark Kotsay, who compared it to the aggressive style of Tim Hudson.
Final Game Pitching Matchup
Bryan Woo (Mariners): Woo will aim to extend his scoreless streak and maintain his dominant form. Despite careful management due to previous injuries, Woo’s effectiveness has been clear this season, making him a formidable presence on the mound.
JP Sears (Athletics): Sears has a solid track record against the Mariners, sporting a 2-0 record and a 1.65 ERA in six career games (five starts) against Seattle. This season, Sears has been a bit of a rollercoaster, alternating between excellent outings, where he allows one or zero runs, and tougher games, where he has given up four or more.
Conclusion
The final game between the Mariners and Athletics promises to be a thrilling pitchers’ duel, with Bryan Woo aiming for a historic performance and JP Sears looking to uphold his strong record against Seattle. Fans can expect another competitive clash as these AL West rivals battle for the series win.