Oakland-born Woo pitches Mariners past A’s in emotional game

After leading Seattle to a 6-4 win over the A’s on Thursday, Mariners pitcher Bryan Woo couldn’t hide his emotions over what’s happening to the team that plays 10 minutes away from where he grew up in Alameda.

Woo, who struck out six and didn’t walk a batter over five innings to improve to 7-2, had a hard time pondering how he will be the pitcher of record for Seattle’s final win at the Oakland Coliseum, where he has so many special memories of attending games during his youth.

“That’s pretty crazy, honestly,” Woo said. “Obviously I’ve come to more games here than anywhere else in the world, anywhere else in my life. I can’t even wrap my mind around that right now. It’s sad, it’s crazy, it’s a lot of emotions. It’s wild.”

Woo’s appearance Thursday also had another historic twist to it – he will be the last of the 126 players in MLB history who were born in Oakland to play a game in the Oakland Coliseum. Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs is the only other current active major leaguer who was born in Oakland.

The right-handed Woo has victories in his last two decisions, against the A’s and San Francisco. He allowed two runs on eight hits and has five or more strikeouts in six of his last seven outings.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo (22) pauses while throwing against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Woo and the Mariners prevailed as Cal Raleigh hit a two-run homer in the first inning and added a sacrifice fly in the fifth, while Julio Rodríguez also connected in their final scheduled visit to the Coliseum.

Oakland’s Seth Brown hit a sacrifice fly in the third and Brent Rooker homered twice to boost his career-high total to 35. He hit his 34th homer in the fifth then No. 35 in the ninth for the A’s, who have cleared the fences 22 times in their last 10 games and have 181 home runs overall.

“Similar to last year, my homers always tend to come in bunches,” Rooker said. “That’s been a constant throughout my entire career. What I’ve done a better job of this year is in between those spurts of slugging, I’ve done a good job of being able to piece base hits together and take some walks.”

A’s starter Joey Estes (6-7), who has lost three of his last four decisions, allowed four runs on six hits over four innings before manager Mark Kotsay turned to his bullpen.

Seattle’s Luke Raley added a two-run shot in the ninth for key insurance as the Mariners closed within 4 1/2 games of the Houston Astros in the American League West standings.

Oakland Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof (20) reaches for the throw as Seattle Mariners’ Victor Robles (10) is safe on a steal in the first inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay and his team stand for the national anthem before their MLB game against Seattle Mariners at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Joey Estes (68) throws against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics’ Zack Gelof (20) strikes out swinging against Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo (22) in the third inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh (29) is congratulated by teammate Victor Robles (10) after hitting a two-run home run off Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Joey Estes (68) in the first inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics’ Seth Brown (15) hits a sacrifice fly off Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo (22) scoring a run in the third inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics’ Jacob Wilson (5) scores past Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) on a sacrifice fly by Seth Brown (15) in the third inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics’ Jacob Wilson (5) is congratulated by teammate Zack Gelof (20) after scoring on a sacrifice fly by Seth Brown (15) in the third inning of their MLB game against the Seattle Mariners at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Seattle Mariners’ Victor Robles (10) gets a hit off Oakland Athletics’ pitcher Joey Estes (68 and is safe at first base on a fielding error in the fifth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) throws to first base but is unable to complete the double play as Seattle Mariners’ Mitch Haniger (17) is forced out at second base in the sixth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics’ Brent Rooker (25) celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run off Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo (22) in the fifth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay takes out starting pitcher Joey Estes (68) in the fifth inning of their MLB game against the Seattle Mariners at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Grant Holman (67) throws against the Seattle Mariners in the sixth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics watch from the dugout as the Seattle Mariners bat in the sixth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Seattle Mariners’ Victor Robles (10) reaches third base on a fielder’s choice as Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Joey Estes (68) covers the bag in the fifth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics’ JJ Bleday (33) fouls off a pitch in the seventh inning of their MLB game against the Seattle Mariners at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh (29) slides safely into second base on a steal as Oakland Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof (20) takes the throw in the seventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Michel Otañez (47) throws against the Seattle Mariners in the eighth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics’ Brent Rooker (25) celebrates with teammate JJ Bleday (33) after hitting a two-run home run off Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Andrés Muñoz (75) in the ninth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics fans display signs in the right field bleachers in the eighth inning of their MLB game against the Seattle Mariners at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics third baseman Max Schuemann (12) tags out Seattle Mariners’ Leo Rivas (76) on a fielder’s choice in the eighth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics center fielder JJ Bleday (33) can’t get to a two-run home run hit by Seattle Mariners’ Luke Raley (20) in the ninth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Tyler Ferguson (65) reacts as Seattle Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez (44) rounds the bases after teammate Luke Raley (20) hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Seattle Mariners’ Luke Raley (20) is congratulated by teammates Julio Rodríguez (44) and Justin Turner (2) after hitting a two-run home run off Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Tyler Ferguson (65) in the ninth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Tyler Ferguson (65) throws against the Seattle Mariners in the ninth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Seattle Mariners’ Luke Raley (20) is congratulated by teammate J.P. Crawford (3) after hitting a two-run home run off Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Tyler Ferguson (65) in the ninth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Andrés Muñoz (75) and catcher Cal Raleigh (29) celebrate their 6-4 MLB win over the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Seattle Mariners second baseman Jorge Polanco (7) and shortstop Leo Rivas (76) celebrate their 6-4 MLB win over the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Seattle Mariners outfielders Victor Robles, (10) Mitch Haniger (17) and Julio Rodríguez (44) celebrate their 6-4 MLB win over the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Seattle Mariners players celebrate their 6-4 MLB win over the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

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