Mariners Game Recap: Red Sox Edge M’s in Pitchers Duel

It was an epic pitchers duel this evening at Safeco Field, but the Red Sox edged the Mariners in the end.

The Boston Red Sox clubbed a pair of solo home runs late to push past the Seattle Mariners on Monday night at Safeco Field. Junichi Tazawa earned the win in relief for the BoSox, and Steve Cishek was credited with the loss. Craig Kimbrel picked up his 18th save of the season.

Offense was hard to come by tonight thanks to James Paxton and Eduardo Rodriguez, but defense also played a pivotal role in the lack of runs. Robinson Cano made a great catch ranging to his left to rob Hanley Ramirez of a base knock. Rodriguez proved he is a multi-talented hurler, snagging a line-drive and doubling off Franklin Gutierrez at first base. Leonys Martin also turned in a web gem, chasing down a line drive in the right-center field gap in the fifth inning.

More from Mariners News

• Baking the Cake: An Adjusted Mariners Offseason Plan
• Taylor Trammell Could Provide Impact to 2023 Mariners
• What Jerry Dipoto’s trades, comments mean for remainder of Mariners offseason
• Mariners Select Chris Clarke in Rule 5 Draft
• Thank you for a Memorable Year, Abraham Toro and Jesse Winker!

Neither team could muster any offense through the first six innings this evening, but the Mariners broke through in the home half of the seventh. Cano kicked off the rally with a one-out double. Nelson Cruz worked a free pass before Dae-ho Lee doubled home Cano to give the M’s a 1-0 lead. Kyle Seager was plunked to load the bases, but Seattle couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity.

Unfortunately, the Red Sox caught the scoring bug in the top of the eighth. Aaron Hill stepped into the batter’s box with one out and the bases empty. After the first pitch of the at bat was called a ball, Hill swatted a 94 mph fastball over the wall in left field. Hill’s 9th roundtripper of the season tied the game at 1.

Paxton was brilliant tonight for the Mariners. The Ladner, BC product allowed just 1 run on 4 hits through 8 innings of work. Pax-Man struck out 6 Red Sox and did not issue any free passes en route to picking up the no-decision. The lanky southpaw is finding himself this summer, as he has now allowed 3 earned runs or less in 5 of his last 6 starts. Hopefully his strong play will continue during the final two months of the season.

More from SoDo Mojo

• Baking the Cake: An Adjusted Mariners Offseason Plan
• Taylor Trammell Could Provide Impact to 2023 Mariners
• How the Mariners could swing a trade for Fernando Tatis Jr
• What Jerry Dipoto’s trades, comments mean for remainder of Mariners offseason
• Mariners Select Chris Clarke in Rule 5 Draft

Boston took the lead in the top of the ninth. Steve Cishek was called on to replace Paxton, and that decision proved to be a mistake. Mookie Betts welcomed the M’s closer to the game by launching a solo home run to left field. The dinger gave the Sox a 2-1 lead.

The Mariners made it interesting in the home half of the ninth against Craig Kimbrel. Seager went down on strikes, but reached base after the ball skipped away from Sandy Leon behind the plate. With two out, Mike Zunino worked a walk to put runners on first and second base. However, Shawn O’Malley struck out to end the threat and the ballgame.

Next: M’s OK Despite No Deadline Deals

Up next for the Mariners (52-52) is another date with the Red Sox (58-46) at Safeco Field in Seattle. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm from the corner of Edgar & Dave on Tuesday night. Wade LeBlanc (1-0, 4.26 ERA) will be on the bump for the M’s, and David Price (9-7, 4.26 ERA) will get the ball for the Red Sox.