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Weaver wins again as Mariners down Red Sox

Jun 26, 2007 - 7:22 AM SEATTLE (Ticker) -- The first time Jeff Weaver faced the Boston Red Sox in April the results weren't pretty. But his return engagement Monday night was a different story altogether.

Weaver pitched 5 2/3 strong innings as the Mariners beat up on the Boston Red Sox, 9-4.

When the righthander took the mound at Fenway Park on April 10, he was pounded for seven hits and seven runs in just two innings and Boston went on to an easy 14-3 victory.

Weaver endured five more losses before finally going on the disabled list May 11 with tendonitis in his right shoulder, an 0-6 record and an ERA of 14.32. But since he's been back, he's looked like a different pitcher.

On Monday he went 5 2/3 innings to beat the Red Sox and improve his record to 2-0 in four appearances since returning from the DL on June 9. His ERA since coming back is 1.82.

"His last three starts have been awfully good," Mariners manager Mike Hargrove said. "They (the Red Sox) have an awfully good lineup and he did a good job."

Weaver said he was able to build on his previous outing, a complete game, four-hit, 7-0 shutout over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

"From my last start I felt really confident about throwing my breaking ball at any time," Weaver said. "When you can do that it makes it that much more difficult for them."

Is he back now?

"I'll let you know at the end of the season," Weaver laughed. "Right now, I'm feeling good. I want to take these last starts, keep them in the back of my head and know that I am capable of going out there and winning games."

Seattle got a two-run single by Jose Lopez and homers by Kenji Johjima and Adrian Beltre to earn its sixth consecutive home victory over the Red Sox.

Julian Tavarez (5-5), who was 4-0 in his previous seven starts, lasted 4 1/3 innings and took the loss for his first defeat since May 11.

"I didn't do anything different today, I just didn't get any breaks," Tavarez said.

Trailing 2-1, the Mariners pulled ahead with a five-run fifth inning. Willie Bloomquist knocked in the first run before Lopez's two-run single. Tavarez forced Jose Vidro to ground into a fielder's choice, but was lifted after walking Richie Sexson to load the bases.

Seattle added two more in the frame when Kyle Snyder came on and walked in two more runs.

The Mariners went ahead, 1-0, in the second when Sexson hit a leadoff double, took third on Ben Broussard's single and scored when Johjima grounded into a double play.

Boston scored two runs in the third to take a 2-1 lead, ending Weaver's consecutive scoreless-inning streak at 16.

Coco Crisp singled and Weaver was charged with an error when he threw away Julio Lugo's bunt attempt trying to get Crisp at second. J.D. Drew hit a bouncer up the middle to plate two runs.

One out later, David Ortiz singled to center, sending Drew to third. After Weaver fanned Manny Ramirez, Ortiz stole second and Kevin Youkilis walked to load the bases. But Mike Lowell fouled out to third to prevent further damage.

Johjima and Beltre delivered back-to-back home runs off reliever Mike Timlin to highlight a three run seventh inning for a 9-2 Mariners lead.

"Johjima's two-run home run and Beltre's solo home run really, really put us over the top," Hargrove said. "With the offense Boston has a four-run lead is not a lot of runs."

Ichiro Suzuki went 0-for-4 to end his 19-game hitting streak, which was the longest in the majors.

Kevin Youkilis set a Red Sox record by playing 120 consecutive games at first base without an error. He broke the record held by Stuffy McInnis set in 1921.