Hisashi Iwakuma did exactly that on Wednesday night, spinning seven innings of five-hit baseball, as the Mariners beat the Red Sox, 3-1. It came back a little toward the plate, and he was able to get the bat on it. Iwakuma retired the first six batters he faced, and finished the game with seven strikeouts. “And has barely started work at third after spending the season at second as the Red Sox worked to get him a solid base at one position before shifting him elsewhere”. He has five homers in 12 games. After blowing a 99 miles per hour fastball by Ortiz for a swinging strikeout to start the ninth, Diaz gave up a single to Jackie Bradley Jr. and hit Aaron Hill with a pitch, meaning the tying run would come to the plate at least once. Spending time in Portland will help Benintendi control left field, as the Sea-Dogs stadium has a replica “Green-Monster” to help prospects get accustomed to fielding hits off the 37 foot wall.
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In Baltimore, Kevin Gausman outpitched Cole Hamels, and the Orioles rode a three-run first to a victory over Texas.
In Cincinnati, Brandon Moss singled home two runs in St. Louis’ four-run first, extending his season-long streak against the Reds. He hasn’t necessarily been inserted into Seattle’s rotation for the remainder of the season – the return of right-hander Taijuan Walker from the disabled list this season could render this a spot start – but Miranda could make a case for himself with a good outing Thursday. The hero on the night was Brock Holt with an RBI single in the 11th to give the win to the Sox.
The third hit came with two outs in the seventh inning. He also notched a pair of singles on the evening.
Heredia followed with a bunt single and moved to third on ground outs by Gutierrez and Cano.
In the bottom of the same inning, Junichi Tazawa struck out the side with a Kyle Seager single mixed in. He appears likely to fill the swing role that became vacant when the Mariners traded lefty Mike Montgomery to the Chicago Cubs…
The Sox have not started Ortiz in any of their four previous games in National League ballparks because of lingering concerns about his aching feet and heels. O’Malley had three hits. Sox 1-0. The Sox grabbed another run in the top of 5th when Mookie Betts hit an RBI double to score Bryce Brentz. The walked nine times against Boston pitchers, but turned none of those walks into runs…
Seattle is 4 1/2 games behind the Tigers and hoping to gain ground during a 10-game homestand that includes three games apiece against the Los Angeles Angels and the Tigers.TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), ROOT (Seattle) PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Drew Pomeranz (8-9, 3.09 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Ariel Miranda (0-0, 13.50) Pomeranz is 0-2 with a 7.53 ERA in three starts since being acquired from the San Diego Padres.
“These games, it’s about getting the big hit”. “We did a lot of other good things, just didn’t finish it off”.
Shaw grounded to short to end the inning for Boston.
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BOSTON: The Red Sox have won 16 of Porcello’s last 21 starts and are a flawless 5-0 in his last five outings when he’s pitching off four days of rest. Washington earned its fourth road series sweep of the season and first since May 30-June 1 at Philadelphia.
