Washburn leaves start with leg injury

5/5/2008 11:19 PM

SEATTLE (AP) -Seattle Mariners left-hander Jarrod Washburn left his start against the Texas Rangers Monday night in the seventh inning with what the team said was a tight right calf.

Washburn, who had allowed six runs in his previous start last week at Cleveland, gave up just one hit through the first six innings. He carried a 7-0 lead into the seventh before Gerald Laird singled, Michael Young doubled and Milton Bradley doubled both home.

Then, an assistant trainer, pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre and manager John McLaren all went out to talk to Washburn.

After a moment of discussion, he was out of the game with what the team announced as tightness in his right calf. He waved to the crowd just before disappearing into the clubhouse. It was the third time in two weeks a Mariners starter had left a game because of injury.

Washburn allowed three runs and four hits in six-plus innings. He struck out three before Sean Green replaced him.

Carlos Silva left a start on April 23 against Baltimore with tightness in his right thigh but returned to make his next start. Miguel Batista departed early in a start on April 25 with a groin pull, but also made his next start.