Red Sox at Mariners
The Boston Red Sox broke out of an offensive slump in a big way while proving that a slew of injuries has not yet broken the bullpen. The Red Sox will be looking to grab the lead in the four-game series when they visit the Seattle Mariners again Wednesday. Boston had dropped three straight and had totaled two runs in the previous two before breaking out with five home runs in an 11-8 triumph Tuesday.
The Red Sox have placed relievers Alex Wilson and Andrew Miller on the disabled list in the last few days and lost Alfredo Aceves after two-thirds of an inning Tuesday, but still managed to hold the Mariners to one run over the final 6 2/3 innings after starter Allen Webster was knocked out. Seattle needed to burn through five relievers as well Tuesday but has been able to pound Boston’s starters. The Mariners have gotten five RBIs from rookie Brad Miller in the series.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), Root Sports (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Felix Doubront (5-3, 4.11 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Aaron Harang (4-7, 4.92)
Doubront has allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his last 10 appearances and snapped a five-game winless streak by holding Los Angeles to two runs in 6 2/3 innings Friday. The Venezuela native has worked into the seventh inning in two straight outings and three of the last four. Doubront has faced Seattle twice in his career (one start) and has limited the Mariners to one run in 5 2/3 total innings.
Harang snapped a three-start winless streak last time out by holding the Cincinnati Reds to two runs in six innings. The veteran right-hander has allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his last five starts. Harang has spent most of his career in the National League but has made three starts against the Red Sox, going 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Red Sox CF Jacoby Ellsbury (left wrist) has missed the first two games of the series and is day-to-day. Ellsbury is sitting on a 17-game hitting streak.
2. Seattle 1B Kendrys Morales is 5-for-9 with a pair of homers in the series.
3. Ortiz needs one hit to pass Harold Baines for the most all-time by a DH (1,688).