Denard Span hit a two run double off Boston reliever Matt Barnes in the bottom of the eighth inning Friday night, to lead the Seattle Mariners to a 7-6 come from behind win over the Boston Red Sox at Safeco Field in Seattle.
Seattle was up early 3-0, before Boston rallied with a six run top of the third inning. Brock Holt had an RBI single, and then Mitch Moreland reached on an error by Seattle third baseman Kyle Seager that allowed two runs to score to make it 3-3. Xander Bogaerts then hit a three run homer to make it 6-3 Red Sox, knocking Seattle starter James Paxton out of the game after just 2.1 innings and being charged with five earned runs.
Mitch Haniger had an RBI single in the fifth, and Mike Zunino hit a solo homer for the Mariners in the seventh to cut it to 6-5. A walk by Barnes in the eighth, followed by a single put two on base. On a 2-2 pitch, Span who was pinch hitting ripped a two run double down into the right field corner to provide the difference. Boston had a runner in scoring position with one out in the ninth against Seattle closer Edwin Diaz, but Rafael Devers popped out and Eduardo Nunez grounded out to help Diaz pick up his 26th save and end a four game Red Sox winning streak. Mookie Betts, JD Martinez, and Devers all had two hits a piece in the loss.
Rick Porcello started and got a no decision, allowing four earned runs, seven hits, one walk, with nine strikeouts in 6.0 innings. Barnes (0-2) took the loss allowing two earned runs, two hits, one walk, with two strikeouts in 1.0 inning of work.
Steven Wright takes the ball for the Sox in game three of the four game series at 8:15 Saturday night. Wright is 2-0 so far in 2018 with a 1.21 ERA. He also has the longest active streak in the majors with 22.2 innings pitched without allowing a run. He will be opposed by Mariners lefty Wade Leblanc, who is also 2-0.
