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Mariners-Red Sox Preview

Jul 3, 2009 - 5:26 AM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Seattle (40-38) at Boston (48-30), 7:10 p.m. EDT

Felix Hernandez continued an impressive run with a dominating start against the best team in the majors last weekend, but things aren't to get any easier against the AL's top club.

The Seattle Mariners will be happy to have their young ace on the mound Friday to begin their third straight road series against a top playoff contender, this time opening a three-game set against the Boston Red Sox.

A treacherous trip has been navigated well thus far by the Mariners (40-38), who've gone 3-3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. They scored six runs off Yankees ace CC Sabathia in Thursday's 8-4 win.

"Our guys are learning how to win," reliever Miguel Batista said.

Opponents have had no such success lately against Hernandez (8-3, 2.54 ERA).

The 23-year-old has allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his last seven starts, going 4-0 with a 0.85 ERA. Saturday's outing at Dodger Stadium was among the best over that span, as he allowed one unearned run and four hits in eight innings of a 5-1 win, striking out nine.

"Felix was just outstanding," Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu said. "I think this game was the best I've seen him with his stuff. He was just dominating with his off-speed stuff and his fastball was electric. Just the way he's been taking the mound, I can't say enough about him. He's at the top of his game right now, and probably as good as anybody in the game."

Hernandez is 3-1 with a 3.05 ERA in six starts against the Red Sox, and he's been undaunted by the challenge of pitching at Fenway Park, tossing 15 shutout innings in winning his two starts there. He pitched a one-hitter at Fenway in 2007.

His teammates haven't had nearly as much success in Boston. The Mariners have not won a series at Fenway since Aug. 14-16, 2001, losing 17 of their last 22 games.

Seattle did take two of three from the Red Sox at home May 15-17.

The Mariners did not face Tim Wakefield in that series, but they had problems against him last year. The knuckleballer went 1-1 against Seattle, but had a 1.80 ERA in the two starts.

Wakefield (10-3, 4.18) could become the first 11-game winner in the majors with a victory Friday, although fellow 10-game winners Kevin Slowey and Zack Greinke are also scheduled to pitch.

The 42-year-old went 4-0 with a 3.45 ERA in five June starts. He beat Atlanta with six strong innings in Saturday's 1-0 win.

"He just keeps going out there doing what he's supposed to do," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "I'm proud of him."

The Red Sox (48-30) will be opening a 10-game homestand with the best home record in the majors at 25-10. They are also coming off a 6-3 road trip, which included a bizarre finish in Baltimore.

After blowing a nine-run lead and losing to the Orioles on Tuesday, Boston rallied from four runs down in the ninth inning Wednesday, eventually winning 6-5 in 11 innings. The Red Sox bullpen retired all 12 batters it faced in the series finale, one day after giving up 10 runs.

Red Sox relievers are still tied for the major league lead with a 3.18 ERA.

"I thought today was a great opportunity for our bullpen to come show the league what we're really made of," closer Jonathan Papelbon said. "I think we answered that with flying colors."

Boston pitchers retired 24 straight Baltimore hitters to close Wednesday's game.