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Red Sox-Mariners Preview

Sep 14, 2010 - 6:32 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Boston (80-64) at Seattle (55-89), 10:10 p.m. EDT

Despite a season almost certain to end short of expectations, the Boston Red Sox's rotation continues to cause problems for the light-hitting Seattle Mariners.

The Red Sox will turn to Daisuke Matsuzaka on Tuesday as they aim for their second straight victory over the Mariners at Safeco Field.

Boston (80-64) is seven games behind New York for the AL wild card and highly unlikely to make its fourth straight postseason, but won its second in a row Monday, beating Seattle 5-1.

Jon Lester struck out 12 in eight innings to reach the 200-strikeout plateau for a second straight season while Ryan Kalish hit a two-run homer in the eighth.

"Right now it doesn't really make or break my season," Lester said. "We're trying to make the playoffs. That's where we evaluate our season, whether we're in the postseason or not."

The victory improved the Red Sox to 5-3 in the season series against Seattle (55-89), including a 3-2 mark at Safeco. Boston's pitchers have combined for a 2.55 ERA and .191 opponent batting average against the Mariners, the worst hitting team in the major leagues at .234.

Seattle has dropped five straight overall, totaling 11 runs while batting .167 during the slide. The Mariners managed four hits Monday - two apiece by Chone Figgins and Jose Lopez - as they scored three runs or fewer at home for the 16th straight game. It's the longest such streak of futility at home since the Pittsburgh Pirates scored three or fewer in 16 straight during the 1908 season.

Ichiro Suzuki went 0 for 4 on Monday, snapping his 13-game hitting streak. The veteran outfielder is batting .194 against the Red Sox this season.

He's 4 for 19 with two doubles lifetime against his countryman Matsuzaka (9-5, 4.70 ERA), who will try a second time for his 10th win.

Matsuzaka gave up a season-high eight runs and eight hits, including two homers, in 4 2-3 innings of a 14-5 loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday. He also walked four.

"Lack of command caught up with him and kind of caught up in a hurry," manager Terry Francona said.

The right-hander pitched six innings against Seattle on July 25, giving up one run and four hits in a 4-2 loss. He didn't factor in the decision.

Matsuzaka is 2-0 with a 2.23 ERA in five career starts at Safeco.

Luke French (4-5, 3.90) will take the mound for Seattle.

French gave up four runs and seven hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 4-3 loss at Oakland on Wednesday. He had won his previous two outings, both at home.

The left-hander, making his first start against the Red Sox, is 3-1 with a 2.01 ERA in four starts and two relief appearances at Safeco Field.