Red Sox extend Mariners' skid to 13

[July 23, 2011]  BOSTON (AP) -- Seattle's slump is quickly approaching the worst in franchise history.

The Mariners' losing streak reached 13 with a 7-4 loss at Boston on Friday night, putting Seattle just one loss away from tying the longest skid the club has ever had.

Felix Hernandez pitched six strong innings, but Boston got to him in the seventh with five runs, breaking open a 2-1 game and extending the Mariners' month of frustration.

"We had multiple opportunities throughout the course of the game, which in its own right is a good thing because we're creating opportunities, but we've got to finish those innings off," manager Eric Wedge said.

Wedge locked down the clubhouse the night before when the Mariners lost at Toronto 7-5, telling his players they needed to toughen up. He was somewhat pleased with the results on Friday as the Mariners took a 1-0 lead in the first and held the team with the best record in the American League well within reach until late in the game.

Seattle took a 1-0 lead on some aggressive baserunning by Ichiro Suzuki and got the Red Sox to hit into four double plays, but the result was the same as the previous dozen games.

"We were right in it, right until that bottom of the seventh inning," Wedge said.

Another loss would tie the franchise's futility record of 14, set in September 1992.

It was barely a month ago that the Mariners won two of three against the Phillies, who have the best record in the majors, and were a half-game out of first place at 37-35.

The skid has sent the Mariners tumbling into last place with little hope for relief in sight. Seattle has two more games left at Boston this weekend, then visits the Yankees for three more.

"We're trying to stop this," Hernandez said.

Hernandez (8-9) allowed six runs on 11 hits in 6 1/3 innings.

"He kept us in it there and then they did a good job there in that seventh inning," Wedge said. "When you're facing those hitters you want your best guy out there. That's why we gave him an opportunity to work through that."

Jacoby Ellsbury hit a solo homer in the third, his seventh in July, and John Lackey picked up his third straight win for Boston. Lackey (8-8) allowed one run on eight hits and struck out for in seven innings. Jonathan Papelbon pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 22nd save.

Mike Carp hit a three-run homer for the Mariners in the eighth -- the second homer of Carp's career -- off of reliever Franklin Morales to cut the lead to 7-4. It was Seattle's first run since Suzuki started the game with a single, stole second and third and scored on Dustin Ackley's single.

Ellsbury led off the third with a solo homer that cleared the bullpens in right field and put Boston up 2-1. The score held until the Red Sox got to Hernandez in the seventh.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ellsbury started the rally with singles, the Pedroia walked to load the bases with one out. Adrian Gonzalez then poked a bases-loaded single to center, bouncing the ball over second base and driving in Saltalamacchia and Ellsbury.

"If that goes at somebody we've got a double play and we're still right in the ballgame," Wedge said.

Kevin Youkilis followed with a double, scoring Pedroia scored and Gonzalez made it all the way around from first on left fielder Mike Carp's throwing error.

David Ortiz added a single that drove in Youkilis and put Boston up 7-1.

"We finally broke through, but it took us awhile," Boston manager Terry Francona said.

The Red Sox have won nine of 11 and reached 60 wins in the least amount of games since 1979. Boston won its 60th game in 97 tries, the fastest the 1979 club won 60 in 95 games.

NOTES: The Red Sox held a moment of silence before the game in memory of Myra Kraft, wife of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. ... Seattle RHP David Aardsma had successful Tommy John surgery Friday. ... Injured Seattle pitchers Erik Bedard and Shawn Kelley are both scheduled to throw simulated games in Boston on Saturday. Manager Eric Wedge said he hopes to have Bedard, out since June 27 with a knee injury, start a game next week. Kelley, on the 60-day disabled list, hasn't pitched all season because of an elbow injury. ... Former Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell, who retired after last season, visited the clubhouse before the game. ... Josh Reddick got his second straight start in right field in place of a slumping J.D. Drew. "He's swinging the bat awfully well," said manager Terry Francona, who said he phoned Drew Thursday night to tell him of the decision. Francona said LHP Jon Lester (side strain) is on pace to return Monday against Kansas City.

[Associated Press]

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