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Red Sox look to bounce back against Mariners

Jun 7, 2008 - 12:46 PM Seattle (22-39) at Boston (38-26) 3:55 p.m. EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox will be looking to bounce back from their first home loss in over a month when they host the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.

The team suffered its first loss at Fenway Park since May 1 on Friday as Felix Hernandez kept the Boston bats in check during an 8-0 Seattle win.

Slugger Richie Sexson had three hits and drove in two runs for the Mariners, who own the worst record in the American League, though they've taken three of four from Boston this year.

Boston was without a few key members of its lineup in the series opener - David Ortiz (on the disabled list with a wrist injury), Jacoby Ellsbury (wrist) and Manny Ramirez (hamstring). Ortiz is lost for at least a month while Ellsbury and Ramirez are listed as day-to-day.

Tim Wakefield (3-4, 4.50 ERA) will try to get the Red Sox back in the win column on Saturday. The veteran knuckleballer is 0-1 over his past two starts despite allowing a total of three runs over 15 innings.

Wakefield suffered a loss against Seattle on May 28, surrendering one run in eight innings while striking out eight and not issuing a walk in a 1-0 setback.

The Mariners will counter with righthander Miguel Batista (3-6, 5.90). The Dominican hurler has not earned a win since May 11, but pitched seven strong innings against Boston on May 27 - allowing three runs, two earned.