Red Sox avoid sweep against Mariners

[July 06, 2009]  BOSTON (AP) -- David Ortiz had a tying RBI single and Mark Kotsay added a key two-run hit during a five-run seventh inning, and the Boston Red Sox avoided a three-game sweep by beating the Seattle Mariners 8-4 on Sunday.

All-Star Dustin Pedroia homered among his three hits for the Red Sox, who have not been swept at home this season. They also averted their first three-game losing streak at Fenway Park, where they improved to 26-12.

Ortiz and Jacoby Ellsbury also each hit solo homers.

Ronny Cedeno had a bases-loaded triple for Seattle, which won its first series in Boston since 2001.

Seattle, which has never swept a three-game series in Fenway, completed a nine-game road trip against the Dodgers, Yankees and Red Sox at 5-4.

Trailing 4-3 in the seventh, Boston took the lead against Seattle's bullpen. Ortiz's two-out RBI single tied it against Miguel Batista (5-3) after J.D. Drew walked and Pedroia singled. Reliever Mark Lowe then came in and walked consecutive batters, with Ellsbury's walk forcing in the go-ahead run.

Kotsay followed with a two-run single, making it 7-4. Ellsbury then scored on Kenji Johjima's passed ball before reliever Sean White ended it by striking out Jason Varitek.

Justin Masterson (3-2) pitched 1 1-3 scoreless innings of relief for the win.

Pedroia homered into the Green Monster seats and Ortiz hit his over the Mariners' bullpen in the first to give Boston a 2-0 lead.

The Mariners, who came back from early 2-0 deficits to win the series' first two games, took advantage of Pedroia's error to score three unearned runs on Cedeno's triple in the fourth.

Pedroia dropped third baseman Kevin Youkilis' throw on a potential inning-ending grounder with runners on first and second and one out. After Chris Woodward struck out, Cedeno's slicing drive down the right-field line bounced in front of a sliding Drew and rolled into the corner.

Boston starter Jon Lester allowed four runs -- one earned -- on eight hits, striking out nine and walking three while throwing a season-high 122 pitches. He had surrendered three or fewer runs in his last six starts, going 4-1.

Seattle's Brandon Morrow gave up three runs, six hits with seven strikeouts and two walks in six innings.

Ryan Langerhans' sacrifice fly made it 4-2 in the fifth, but Ellsbury's shot into the Mariners' pen cut it to one in the sixth.

NOTES: Mariners DH Mike Sweeney left the game with back spasms after grounding into a fielder's choice in his only at-bat. ... The PA announcer acknowledge Red Sox All-Stars Jason Bay, Pedroia and Youkilis as they took their positions in the top of the third. Pitchers Josh Beckett, Jonathan Papelbon and Tim Wakefield were also announced. Wakefield got a standing ovation and waved to the crowd. ... Bay went 1 for 2, but has two hits in his last 27. ... Before the game, some players in both clubhouse were watching the Wimbledon men's final, marveling at the speed of the serves. ... Actor Mark Wahlberg threw out the ceremonial first pitch, actually two after he fired the initial one over Pedroia's head. Actor Mike O'Malley ran out to the mound and gave him a second ball.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.