JD Martinez had four hits and five runs batted in, including a tie breaking two run single in the bottom of the seventh that ended up as the game winner to lead the Boston Red Sox to a wild 14-10 win over the Seattle Mariners Friday night at Fenway Park.
Martinez also hit his 23rd homer of the year, a two run bomb to center to pull the Sox within 10-8 in the sixth. The Sox were down 4-0 in the first, and then after gaining a 5-4 lead in bottom half, fell behind again as the M’s built the lead to 10-5 in the fourth. Boston scored the final nine runs of the game. It was a rough night for Sox starting pitcher Steven Wright, as he allowed 10 earned runs over 3.1 innings. Nelson Cruz had a huge game for the Mariners, belting two three run homers and had four hits with seven RBI on the night. Rafael Devers had three hits and two RBI, while Mitch Moreland also had three hits and an RBI. Andrew Beninitendi, Brock Holt, and Christian Vazquez all had a pair of hits and an RBI each. The hosts pounded out 20 hits to pull within one game of the Yankees in the A.L. East.
Boston won their first game since 1946 when their starting pitcher gives up 10 runs or more in an outing. The bullpen shut down the Mariners offense, as Brian Johnson, Matt Barnes, Joe Kelly, and Craig Kimbrel combined to allow no runs on four hits in 5.2 innings with eight strikeouts. Barnes (1-2) was credited with the win. Mariners starter Wade Leblanc, who shut out the Sox last weekend in Seattle gave up six earned runs on 11 hits in 4.2 innings. Juan Nicasio (1-4) took the loss charged with five earned on four hits in just a third of an inning.
Sox lefty Eduardo Rodriquez will take his 9-1 record to the hill in game two of the series Saturday night at 7:15. He will be opposed by Mariners righty Mike Leake (7-4).
