Boston Red Sox (73-44) @ Seattle Mariners (50-67)
Josh Beckett (9-4, 2.17) @ Felix Hernandez (10-10, 3.31)
10:10 PM EDT | Safeco Field (Seattle, WA)
TV: NESN RADIO: WEEI 850, WWZN 1510
GAME NOTES
John Lackey pitched what could only be described as a John Lackey-like game last night. He gave up four runs in six innings. He got the win. He also surrendered ten hits and walked two men. Essentially, he’s still the John Lackey we all know and love (or loathe…your call). The offense, as its done eleven times this year, gave him enough to pick up a win. Tonight’s starter, Josh Beckett, is still waiting for that offense to reciprocate the strong performance that he has shown day in and day out when he takes the mound. He’s also waiting for his tenth win. He’s been stuck on nine since, well, the last time he faced the Mariners. He was rewarded with a no-decision in his last start, going six innings against New York. He allowed only one run and struck out five.
Seattle sends a decent pitcher of their own to the mound. Felix Hernandez, winner of the American League Cy Young award last year, gets the start. Hernandez has not met the standards he set for himself last year, but it’s important to keep in mind that those were exceptionally high to begin with. He pitched well in his last start, going eight innings against the Angels. He pitched eight innings and gave up only two runs, while striking out twelve. He still got the loss, as his offense only backed him up with a run. The loss put him at an even 10-10 on the season. Kevin Youkilis sits out again today with a stiff back. Mike Aviles starts at third and bats seventh.
Lineups
Boston
- Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
- Carl Crawford, LF
- Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- David Ortiz, DH
- Josh Reddick, RF
- Mike Aviles, 3B
- Jason Varitek, C
- Marco Scutaro, SS
Seattle
- Ichiro Suzuki, RF
- Franklin Gutierrez, CF
- Dustin Ackley, 2B
- Mike Carp, DH
- Wily Mo Pena, DH
- Casper Wells, LF
- Josh Bard, C
- Luis Rodriguez, 3B
- Jack Wilson, SS
INJURY REPORT
Boston: Clay Buchholz, lower back strain (placed on 15-day DL June 19, retroactive to June 17); J.D. Drew, left shoulder impingement (placed on 15-day DL July 26); Bobby Jenks, strained back (placed on 15-day DL July 16); Kevin Youkilis, stiff back (scratched from tonight’s lineup)
Seattle: Brendan Ryan, strained AC joint in shoulder (placed on 15-day DL August 7th, retroactive to August 4th) ; David Aardsma, sprain of right ulnar collateral ligament (English translation was not available) (moved to 60 day DL on June 13th); Justin Smoak, fractured nose (day-to-day)
Stats
-Beckett has only one win since the All Star break.
-The Mariners have gone 7-7 over their last 14 games. They went 0-17 in the 17 games before that.
-Adrian Gonzalez is 10 for 33 off of Hernandez.
-Beckett is 4-1 with a 2.87 ERA in eight career starts against the Mariners.
-The Mariners rank last in the majors in runs, batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage. It would almost be funny if it wasn’t so sad.