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Mariners-Red Sox Preview

Aug 15, 2015 - 4:57 AM Though the postseason doesn't seem like much of a reality for the Boston Red Sox, they have more than enough incentive to finish strong down the stretch.

A day after learning manager John Farrell will miss the rest of the season to undergo cancer treatment, the Red Sox look to keep Felix Hernandez from becoming the majors' first 15-game winner for the visiting Seattle Mariners on Saturday.

Hours before Boston (51-64) rolled to a 15-1 victory Friday, Farrell fought back tears while announcing he has a ''highly curable'' form of cancer and will take a medical leave to deal with his lymphoma. Bench coach Torey Lovullo is guiding the club for the remainder of the season.

''I can honestly tell you I'm extremely fortunate that it was found," the 53-year-old Farrell said. "Treatment will begin in the coming days."

Though Farrell's illness is another blow to a beleaguered ballclub, the Red Sox are determined to rally around their manager and put forth the type of effort he expects from them while keeping things in perspective.

''We have a big family around here and definitely when it comes down to health issues, you want to be sure that everything goes OK," said slugger David Ortiz, who is batting .522 with nine RBIs in the last six games. "The organization is taking a lot of responsibility on that to make sure that John gets through it the way it's supposed to be."

The Red Sox will try to secure a winning series by getting the best of Hernandez (14-6, 3.11 ERA), who is 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA in his last four starts at Fenway Park. However, the right-hander can match his win total from last season by recording a third straight victory after he yielded two runs in seven innings of Sunday's 4-2 triumph over Texas.

"I believe Felix has a run in him," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon told MLB's official website. "He may run the table, you never know."

Batting .395 with two home runs in 38 at-bats against Hernandez, Ortiz had two hits Friday as Boston set season highs for runs and hits (21). Rookie Travis Shaw homered twice and Rusney Castillo hit a two-run shot before leaving with a foot injury.

''We hit just about every emotion that you possibly can, that was topped off with a lot of excitement in the dugout," Lovullo said. "The guys did that for John. They fought hard and played hard for John.''

Boston has lost the last six starts by Wade Miley (8-9, 4.68), who is 0-2 in his last seven and tries to bounce back after he allowed five runs and nine hits while not factoring in the decision of a 7-6 loss at Detroit last Saturday.

The left-hander's only other appearance against the Mariners (54-62) came in 2012.

Kyle Seager, who is 2 for 3 against Miley and homered Friday, is batting .434 with seven home runs and 18 RBIs in his last 21 games against the Red Sox.

While Castillo's status for this contest is unknown, the same goes for teammate Hanley Ramirez after he missed a fifth consecutive game - also with a sore foot.

"He's been able to go through some pregame work," Farrell said prior to Friday's contest.