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Red Sox crush Mariners in home opener

Apr 10, 2007 - 11:45 PM BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox gave their fans plenty to celebrate in their home opener.

Josh Beckett pitched seven strong innings and J.D. Drew hit his first home run of the season to lead the Red Sox to a 14-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

The 14 runs were the second most scored by Boston in a home opener. The Red Sox beat the New York Yankees, 15-5, in their 1973 home opener.

The Mariners were playing their first game since last Wednesday. Seattle had an entire four-game series with the Cleveland Indians postponed due to inclement weather.

"We kind of pulled out the whuppin' stick a little bit today," Beckett said. "Them being off for a little while I think definitely affected their pitchers (in terms) of being able to throw strikes."

Beckett (2-0), who picked up the win in Boston's first game at Fenway Park last season, allowed one run and just two hits with eight strikeouts.

"Beckett had great command today and I think you could tell our pitchers had a harder time with the layoff," Mariners' first baseman Richie Sexson said. "He threw off-speed pitches in hitter's counts and whenever you can do that, you're going to be effective. It was tough for (our hitters) but I think it was even tougher on the pitchers."

Boston scored in each of the first five innings and made Jeff Weaver's debut with the Mariners a short one. Weaver (0-1), who helped the St. Louis Cardinals win a World Series last season, lasted just two innings and allowed seven runs and seven hits.

"It's a nice way to play the game. You score first and then add on," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "It's a good recipe for winning. (The Mariners) looked like they hadn't played in six days. They've been stuck indoors for a couple of days. We had an advantage today and we took advantage of it and hopefully we can do it for a couple more days."

Boston jumped on Weaver for four runs in the first inning, highlighted by Coco Crisp's two-run ground-rule double. An RBI double by Kevin Youkilis and a two-run homer by Drew in the second inning increased the lead to 7-0.

Drew has hit safely in all seven games this season and has an 11-game hitting streak, dating to last season.

"It's always great to come home and do this on Opening Day with the great crowd and excitement. It was a great feeling," said Drew, who was making his Fenway debut.

After scoring a run in the third inning, the Red Sox added three more in the fourth. Jason Varitek, who had three hits, hit a two-run single to key the fourth and added an RBI double in the fifth to open the lead to 13-1.

Mike Lowell had two RBI for Boston, which has won 12 of its last 16 home openers.

Red Sox reliever Brendan Donnelly and Mariners outfielder Jose Guillen were involved in an altercation in the eighth inning.

Donnelly started the frame and struck out Jose Guillen on three pitches. Donnelly and Guillen, former teammates with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, stared at one another following the strikeout and then began shouting.

With bat in hand, Guillen walked toward the mound but was intercepted by home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi. The benches emptied with some shoving but no punches were thrown.

Donnelly and Guillen have a history. In June 2005, Guillen made his return to Angel Stadium as a member of the Washington Nationals. In that game, Washington manager Frank Robinson accused Donnelly of having pine tar on his glove. After inspecting the glove, umpires ejected Donnelly.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia and Robinson got in each other's face following the ejection and the benches cleared. Guillen, whose departure from the Angels was not amicable, had to be dragged to the dugout by his teammates during the melee.

It was later reported that Guillen tipped Robinson off about Donnelly's possible use of a foreign substance. Donnelly was suspended 10 games as a result.

When Tuesday's game resumed, Donnelly hit the next batter, Kenji Johjima, in the thigh with a 1-1 pitch. Cuzzi immediately ejected Donnelly and Guillen, who was still shouting from the dugout. The game continued without further incident.

Sexson had a two-run double in the ninth inning for the Mariners. Seattle leadoff hitter Ichiro Suzuki struck out three times for the first time since May 3, 2005.

"These things happen and you look for excuses but we are not looking for any excuses." Seattle manager Mike Hargrove said. "We played like we hadn't played in (five) days. We pitched like it, we swung the bats like it and we played defense like it. We didn't play like that the entire spring."