Sox Salvage Split in Seattle with 2-1 Win in 10th

With the exception of Aaron Cook‘s game two gem, the Red Sox series against the lowly Seattle Mariners had been a study in futility. Boston’s offense had found it tough to come by runs during the four-game set and Sunday afternoon’s finale was no different.

Compounding their frustration was Felix Doubront‘s second sub-par outing in a row. The 1-0 score when Doubront was lifted after just 4.1 innings of work belied the fact that he struggled mightily and was down only 1-0  because of a little luck and the fact that he was pitching against the Mariners. Doubront threw 103 pitches, gave up three hits, walked five, hit a batter and struck out four. After that hasty retreat the rest of the afternoon was left to a quartet of Sox relievers to hold the line while the offense tried to claw their way back.

Boston never really got it in gear on Sunday afternoon against Seattle starter Jason Vargas (8 innings pitched, 6 Ks, 5 hits and 1 run) until a struggling Dustin Pedroia hit his first home run since May 10 (162 at bats) to tie the game.

The teams stayed knotted at 1-1 as they headed into the 10th inning. Pedroia once again was a key player in manufacturing Boston’s go ahead run. After a Ryan Kalish one out double, Pedey lashed a single to right field. The Red Sox did not want to run on Ichiro Suzuki‘s arm and held Kalish at third base. With runners on first and third, David Ortiz hit a long fly ball to Ichiro that pushed Kalish across for what would be the winning run.

Matt Albers, Scott Atchison, Vicente Padilla (who got the win) and Alfredo Aceves combined for five plus innings of one-hit shutout ball. Pedey was instrumental in both of Boston’s runs but this win clearly goes to Boston’s bullpen.

Come on and rescue me
Come on baby and rescue me
Come on baby and rescue me
‘Coz I need you, by my side
Can’t you see that I’m lonely
Rescue me
– Rescue Me, Aretha Franklin