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Lowell helps Red Sox rally in 12th for series sweep

Jul 24, 2008 - 2:24 AM By Paul Lowenberg PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Mike Lowell sparked a three-run rally in the 12th inning by lacing a go-ahead, two-run single, helping the Boston Red Sox defeat the Seattle Mariners, 6-3, and complete a three-game series sweep on Wednesday.

Jacoby Ellsbury led off with a single and J.D. Drew was walked intentionally by Sean Green (2-3) with one out before Kevin Youkilis reached on an error by center fielder Willie Bloomquist to load the bases.

"I just flat out missed it," Bloomquist said. "I can't sit here and make an excuse. It's a ball I should have caught."

Lowell followed with his decisive hit and Sean Casey added an RBI single off Cesar Jimenez to secure Boston's first sweep of Seattle on the road since July 1993.

"I think we've done a good job up here," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "It was a little rough at times, but we get a day off (Thursday), and the guys really need that."

Lowell echoed those thoughts.

"Since I've been with the ballclub, we haven't played well up here in Seattle, so this is a great way to end the road trip," Lowell said. "I think it's best to go back to Boston on this note than anything else."

Jonathan Papelbon (4-3) allowed two hits in the 11th but wiggled out of the jam and became the beneficiary of Boston's uprising. Craig Hansen worked around two hits in the 12th for his second save of the year.

After Seattle starter Felix Hernandez walked Coco Crisp with the bases loaded in the top of the sixth to increase Boston's lead to 3-1, Jose Vidro belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the frame off starter Clay Buchholz to level the game.

Mariners All-Star right fielder Ichiro Suzuki made a spectacular catch and then a costly error in the third, as the Red Sox opened the scoring with two runs.

Crisp hit a leadoff single and went to second on a base hit by Dustin Pedroia, who extended his road hitting streak to a club record-tying 24 games. J.D. Drew followed with a deep drive to right, but Suzuki saved a home run with a leaping catch at the wall.

Youkilis then lined a single into the right field corner that scored Crisp. Suzuki misplayed the ball for an error, allowing Pedroia to cross the plate for a 2-0 bulge.

Raul Ibanez's 14th homer of the season in the fourth cut the deficit to 2-1.

Seeking to end a personal three-game losing streak and notch his first road win, Buchholz lasted 5 1/3 innings. He gave up three runs and seven hits while walking two and striking out seven.

Hernandez, who was 5-1 over his previous seven starts, went six innings, allowing three runs - two earned - and six hits. He issued five walks and recorded six strikeouts.

"That was a painful loss right there," Mariners manager Jim Riggleman said. "It seems like we've had a lot of those in the past two weeks. We played this Boston club real tough for three days and came away with nothing."

Seattle reliever J.J. Putz, making his second appearance since coming off the disabled list on Sunday, tossed two effective innings in relief of Hernandez. He yielded an infield hit and struck out three of the six batters he faced.

Boston's offense has been clicking as it awaits the return of injured All-Star David Ortiz this weekend. But on Wednesday, it was without Manny Ramirez, who is nursing a sore right knee.

"We're still in a fighting position without one of the two biggest keys in our lineup," Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek said. "We can't put pressure on (Ortiz) right now. We've just got to make sure he is healthy and can keep himself strong and make sure that wrist is all right. Whether or not he hits right away, he's got a very valuable presence in your lineup."