Texas Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore left his Monday start against the Colorado Rockies due to left lat tightness, but he was optimistic the issue isn't serious.

Gore, making his 10th start of the season, pitched one inning, allowing two runs and three hits while throwing 28 pitches. He struck out two and walked two. He dove to field a slow ground ball during the inning.

After the Rangers dropped the game 7-6 in Denver, Gore downplayed the issue that forced him out.

"I felt kind of like a cramp in that behind-the-shoulder-blade, mid-back area," Gore said. "I thought it was something I could probably pitch through. ... It was uncomfortable, but it wasn't a pain, like I hurt myself or anything like that. It's frustrating for that to happen right from the get-go in the first inning. But we probably made the right move."

Nationals manager Skip Schumaker added, "He said he was feeling OK, but with the weather and the conditions and everything, you hear that and just don't want to push it."

Peyton Gray replaced Gore, who was charged with the loss, falling to 3-4 with a 4.78 ERA in his first season with the Rangers. He is 29-45 with a 4.24 ERA in 115 career games (112 starts) for the San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals and Texas.

The Rangers acquired Gore from Washington in January in exchange for five minor-leaguers.