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Mariners' Ramirez leaves game with soreness

After exiting in seventh, right-hander looks toward final start of season

ANAHEIM -- Mariners right-hander Erasmo Ramirez was removed from Friday's 3-2 loss to the Angels with no outs in the seventh inning after feeling some tightness in his right groin muscle, but he said he expected to be ready for his final start of the season next week.

Ramirez had already thrown 93 pitches and was leading, 2-0, but saw leadoff hitter Mark Trumbo reach on an error on Kyle Seager, and he then walked Kole Calhoun before signaling to catcher Mike Zunino that his leg was not feeling right.

"After the breaking ball I threw to Trumbo, when I went to the stretch I maybe tried to throw harder or something or was off balance, and I felt it," Ramirez said. "I just put in my mind, don't try to get crazy -- don't try to throw harder -- just keep the ball down and make your pitches."

Ramirez, who missed the first three months of the season while dealing with an elbow issue, was adamanant about wanting to finish out the year.

"I was afraid," he said. "I want to pitch my last game. I don't want to be injured at the end of the season. I checked with the doctor, and the muscle feels tight. Hopefully I'll be ready for my next game."

Manager Eric Wedge said the initial trainer's report was positive.

"Rick Griffin thinks he's going to probably be OK," said Wedge, "but we'll see how he feels tomorrow."

Greg Johns is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregJohnsMLB as well as his Mariners Musings blog.
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