Mariners lose big lead in 9th, swept by Red Sox
BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox showed once again Thursday night that they are the comeback kings this season.
Daniel Nava's RBI single capped off a six-run ninth inning for the Red Sox, who rallied past the Seattle Mariners, 8-7, to complete a three-game sweep.
Boston, which was coming off a 5-4 win in 15 innings on Wednesday, has now won in walk-off fashion a major league-best 11 times this season.
Holding what seemed to be a comfortable 7-2 lead, Seattle sent Tom Wilhelmsen to the mound to start the ninth. Nava led off with a walk, moved to second on Ryan Lavarnway's single and scored on Brock Holt's double to left. Jacoby Ellsbury followed with a walk to load the bases.
Oliver Perez (2-3) was called in from the bullpen, but his luck was the same. Shane Victorino hit a two-run single to right-center field and Dustin Pedroia added an RBI single to left, cutting the gap to 7-6. The first out of the frame finally came when David Ortiz struck out swinging.
Yoervis Medina was then called upon to try and save Seattle. Jonny Gomes had other plans with an RBI single to center. Medina threw four straight balls to Stephen Drew to fill the bags. Nava came up to the plate for the second time in the inning and delivered with the game-wining hit to deep center field.
Victorino hit a solo homer in the eighth for the Red Sox, who have won six straight against the Mariners.
Henry Blanco hit a grand slam for Seattle, which has lost five of six. Kendrys Morales went 4-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored and Justin Smoak and Kyle Seager each knocked in a run.
Felix Hernandez got the start for the Mariners and allowed one run on six hits while striking out eight over seven frames.
Seattle jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Brad Miller tripled to right and raced home on Seager's bunt single. The visitors went on to load the bases later in the frame, before Endy Chavez grounded out.
The Mariners tacked on another run in the third. Seager led off with a walk, moved to second on Morales' base hit and scored on Smoak's single to right.