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Cust bats Mariners over Red Sox

Apr 30, 2011 - 6:22 AM Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Jack Cust doubled home Chone Figgins with the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, as the Mariners edged Boston, 5-4, to open a three-game series.

Justin Smoak delivered a two-run single for Seattle, which has won a season- high four in a row. The Mariners, who swept a series in Detroit by a combined 24-6 count, got spectacular bullpen work Friday night.

Jason Vargas (1-2) started and allowed eight hits and four runs over seven frames. Jamey Wright retired the side in order in the eighth and Brandon League did the same in the ninth to record his sixth save of the year.

"You could tell the type of ballgame we were in early. We just needed to take advanatge of opportunities," said Seattle manager Eric Wedge. "I thought our guys battled the way you like to see."

Mike Cameron hit a pair of solo homers for the Red Sox, losers in three of four since a five-game winning streak.

Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka left the game in the fifth inning with tightness in his right elbow. He gave up a single to Ichiro Suzuki leading off the inning and then was replaced by Matt Albers. The Red Sox were ahead 4-2 at the time.

"We were watching him between innings and it looked like he was stretching out his arm a little bit. Then he went out and his velocity dropped pretty significantly," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "He just said it was stiff. He didn't put up a fight."

Matsuzaka was making his fifth start of the season. In his two previous starts, he allowed a combined two hits over 15 scoreless innings thrown, both victories. On Friday, he surrendered three hits and three runs -- one earned.

Bobby Jenks (1-2) suffered the loss.

Suzuki singled and Chone Figgins doubled to start the seventh against Jenks. Milton Bradley struck out, but Miguel Olivo's bouncer to second tied the game, as the only play was to first base. After Smoak walked, Cust doubled off the scoreboard in left to give the Mariners the lead.

The last 12 Boston hitters were retired in order, including League fanning pinch-hitter J.D. Drew to end the game. There was a bit of trepidation in the ninth when Jed Lowrie led off with a deep flyout to center field.

Smoak had a two-run ground single to right field in the first inning, but Cameron homered in the second and the Red Sox got RBI singles from Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz in the third. Cameron went deep again in the fourth, this one a shot to the seats above the Green Monster for a 4-2 difference.

Suzuki scored in the fifth when Lowrie's return throw to Albers at first, trying to complete a double play, went into the dugout.

Game Notes

Smoak has an 11-game hitting streak...Friday marked the 25th anniversary of Roger Clemens setting a major league record by striking out 20 Mariners batters in Boston's 3-1 win...The Red Sox began their longest homestand of the year, an 11-day, 11-game stretch...After not making an error in eight straight games, Boston had two on Friday...This was Cameron's 16th career multi-homer game.