June 6, 2008:
Sox Swept by Mariners; Woes Continue
Boston's offense must be looking forward to the off day on Monday, because they sure didn't show up at all over the weekend. The Red Sox struggles continued this weekend with a three game sweep at the hands of the Seattle Mariners. After defeating the Mariners easily in Seattle a week ago, the Red Sox have limped through June so far, dropping 5 of 8 games against clubs that are not be mistaken for playoff contenders.
This weekend, the Sox sent three of their better starters up against a Seattle lineup that features only two potentially fearful hitters, Ichiro Suzuki and Adrian Beltre.
Seattle 4, Boston 3 (12)
In the series opener, Boston rallied late against closer J.J. Putz to tie the game to send it to extra innings. In the 12th, Javier Lopez walked Tony Gwynn, Jr. with one out. A sacrifice bunt by Jose Vidro move Gwynn into scoring position. With two outs, Ichiro lined a double to right-center that scored Gwynn easily with the eventual-game winning run.
The Sox put runners on first and second with one out in the bottom of the 12th, but Brandon Moss hit into a game-ending double play.
Carlos Silva, starting for Seattle, managed to keep the Sox bats quiet for most of the game. While not factoring in the decision, Silva went six innings, allowing one run on seven hits. Daisuke Matsuzaka allowed three runs on seven hits in six and two-third innings for Boston.
W: Huber (2-1) L: Lopez (4-2)
Player of the Game: Ichiro Suzuki (3-6, 2B, RBI, SB, CS)
Around the League:
...Washington Nationals signed MR Jesus Colome to a 3-year contract extension worth a total of $1.26m...
Seattle 4, Boston 3
Tim Wakefield scattered nine hits against the Mariners but, once again, the Sox struggled to put runs on the board. Despite racking up 12 hits and five walks, Boston was only able to score 3 runs off starter Eric Bedard (4.2 IP, 8 Hs, 3 Rs, 4 BBs) before the Seattle bullpen pitched four and a third shutout innings of relief.
Holding a 1-0 lead thanks to a David Ortiz solo home run in the 3rd, Wakefield couldn't contain Ichiro Suzuki.
"He always sees the knuckle better than anyone else," Wakefield said afterwards.
Suzuki led off the fourth inning with a single, but advance to third on the very next pitch when a throw by catcher Josh Bard on a steal attempt bounced in front of Julio Lugo's glove into center field. Adrian Beltre didn't waste time bringing Suzuki home to tie the game, stroking a ne-hop liner that Lugo wasn't able to get out of his glove fast enough to beat the hustling Beltre at first. A Jeff Clement fielders' choice followed before Ryan Raburn and Jeff Cirillo hit back-to-back doubles to put the Mariners ahead 3-1.
Coco Crisp cut the lead to 3-2 with a RBI single in the fourth, but the Mariners go it right back in the top of the fifth when Tony Gwynn Jr. led off the inning with a double and stole third off Wakefield without a throw from Bard. After striking out Jose Vidro, Ichiro put down a perfect ground out to Kevin Youkilis at first taht allowed Gwynn to score anothe run.
Brandon Moss, getting the start for the second day in a row, made up for last night's game-ending double play with a RBI single in the 5th that cut the lead down to 4-3, but Boston wasn't able to muster any more offense from the Seattle pitching staff.
W: Huber (3-1) L: Wakefield (8-3) SV: Putz (13)
Player of the Game: Ichiro Suzuki (3-4, RBI, R)
Around the League:
...Atlanta 3B Scott Spiezio (.289, 4 HRs, 14 RBIs) retired from baseball after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon...
Seattle 4, Boston 1
Heading into the final game of the series, the Sox had to be licking their wounds. The Mariners pitching staff has held the Sox offense in check, resulting in two 4-3 defeats. The chance to salvage the series with a win in the finale fell to Jon Lester.
Despite striking out five and allowing just three runs on six hits, Lester was outpitched by Miguel Batista.
"Our bats went cold at the same time," manager Terry Francona said afterwards. "It happens, it is a long season. Everyone will get a day away and then we'll be back to the grind on Tuesday."
Boston managed just three hits against the Mariners, in dropping their third straight to Seattle. If it wasn't for a wild pitch, Boston might have been shutout for the time this season. With two outs in the 7th, Alex Cora took a walk from Batista. Dustin Pedroia followed with a liner off the wall in left, advancing Cora to third. With two strikes against Kevin Youkilis, Batista put one in the dirt in front of catcher Jeff Clement, allowing Cora to score easily from third. With Pedroia on third, Youkilis proceeded to strike out looking on the very next pitch, ending the best chance Boston had all night.
The Mariners got on the board in the first. Ichiro Suzuki, batting lead off against the lefty, put the first pitch of the ball game into right field for a single. A fielders' choice advance Suzuki to second and a Jose Vidro single score the speedy right fielder from second without a throw from Manny Ramirez.
The Sox face Seattle once more this season, with a three game series schedule for next month at Safeco Field in Seattle.
W: Batista (5-3) L: Lester (7-2)
Player of the Game: Miguel Batista (7 IP, 3 Hs, 1 R, 4 BBs, 3 Ks, 101 PI)
Around the League:
...Boston released 3B Gil Velazquez (.259 avg. w/ Lancaster)...