Erasmo to replace Paxton in season finale

SEATTLE -- The Mariners have made a change to their starting rotation for the final game of the season, as Erasmo Ramirez will replace rookie James Paxton in Sunday's 1:10 p.m. PT contest against the A's at Safeco Field.

Paxton, 24, has been outstanding in four starts since being called up as a September addition, going 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA while allowing just 15 hits with seven walks and 21 strikeouts in 24 innings.

But with Paxton's innings total now at 169 2/3 for the season when including his Triple-A Tacoma numbers, the club felt it would be best to not push the left-hander for another start this year.

Ramirez, 23, is 5-2 with a 4.56 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) for Seattle. He threw six innings with no earned runs on Friday in Anaheim, but he left the game after feeling some tightness in his right groin.