3 takeaways from the Mariners late-game collapse against the Tampa Bay Rays

The Mariners just can't seem to get out of their own way lately. After one of the best stretches in baseball, playing to a record of 38-21 after their poor start to the season, they've gone 1-5 over their last six games, losing a handful of games that they normally would win... or at least should be winning. It was no different to start the series against the Rays.

So... what happened? Instead of a normal breakdown to a game, we are going to look at 3 takeaways from Monday's game they lost 4-3 with three runs allowed in the 8th, and look forward to how the team can try and remedy some of their pressing issues.

Takeaway #1: The Mariners need another starting pitcher for Bryan Woo's health

Bryan Woo is electric when he is healthy. WHEN he is healthy. It's been too often this season that he hasn't been, and it's put a lot of pressure on the Mariners. Teams deal with injured pitchers all the time, that's to be an expected part of the game. However, you have to have some kind of plan to implement when that happens.

With Emerson Hancock also hurt once again (just a back spasm style injury reported so far) he's not an option, and it leaves the Mariners without many choices in the Minors. Do you bring back Jhonathan Diaz and just let him eat innings, hoping that you can get around a 4.50 ERA from him? Is that good enough with the paltry offense that the Mariners have?

Take a look around Tacoma, and there aren't many other good options. Levi Stoudt was bad enough he was released. Michael Mariot has a 5.62 ERA even with two good starts in his last two outings. Casey Lawerence has a 5.75 ERA. It only leaves Dallas Keuchel as someone we haven't mentioned, and he might be the answer if it isn't Diaz. Keuchel has a 1.57 ERA through four June starts and a 3.93 ERA on the year. Could the vet be paired with Woo in a spot starter/long relief role to rest the Mariners bullpen, as well as resting Bryan Woo? It could be a good low cost solution to try out in the month leading up to the trade deadline.

Takeaway #2: The Mariners' bullpen needs MULTIPLE additions

The first one sort of plays into this. The Mariners are not going to be able to succeed late into the season with the bullpen that they currently have. We have talked about it before, but they are rotating through guys right now just trying to catch them while they are hot, and a lot of the relievers that are in the pen right now are plain and simply not going to be there when the trade deadline comes. They blew this game late, and it's because they were stretched too thin without enough talent depth.

It's not just one arm that they need, but two. This doesn't mean that they have to go out and trade for two arms, though. Remember, they still have Gregory Santos ramping up, and it sound like he is about to go on a rehab stint. It could be a longer than normal one, as the team plays it cautiously to ensure that he is able to help the team as we get into the middle of July and beyond. After Tampa, the Mariners have a 9-game homestead, and he could rejoin them once it is over on July 9th in San Diego, possibly.

Then, it's the final addition that could come via trade. With Brash and Speier out, you need something more than what you currently have. Is it a big name? Is it more of a long relief style guy that you get to pair with Woo as mentioned earlier? No matter what, the Mariners need to go out and make an addition to their pen, and not just from a castoff style guy.