Red Sox snap skid at expense of Mariners
<p>Seattle Mariners' Brendan Ryan in action against the Boston Red Sox in a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)</p>
SEATTLE (AP) - Cody Ross hit a tying three-run homer in the sixth inning, Ryan Lavarnway connected two batters later and the Boston Red Sox snapped their seven-game losing streak with a 4-3 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.
The Red Sox were off to another lackluster effort on this miserable road trip before pulling even with a rally that took just six pitches.
Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury opened the sixth with singles off Seattle starter Blake Beavan (9-9) before Ross hit his 20th homer of the season. After recovering to get two outs, Beavan left a pitch up in the zone to Lavarnway and he lined his first homer off the out of town scoreboard beyond the left field bullpens.
The quick turn of fortunes for Boston made a winner out of Jon Lester (9-11), who gave up consecutive homers to Franklin Gutierrez and Kyle Seager in the third, but otherwise avoided damage.
Felix honored: Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez was voted American League Pitcher of the Month for August. It was Hernandez's third career monthly honor, previously accomplishing the feat in June and September 2009. He is the second straight Mariner to garner the award this season, following teammate Jason Vargas, who was voted the winner in July.
Hernandez compiled a perfect 4-0 record with three shutouts, a 1.08 ERA, five walks and 31 strikeouts in 41 2/3 innings pitched over five starts. Among qualifying starters, the 26-year-old finished first in the A.L. in shutouts, ERA and opponents batting average (.137), was tied for first in wins and was third in innings pitched.
Mariners call up 7, trade Quiroz to Boston: The Mariners brought up seven players from Triple-A Tacoma and traded minor-league catcher Guillermo Quiroz to the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations.
Seattle recalled right-handed pitchers Shawn Kelley and Hector Noesi; infielders Alex Liddi and Carlos Truinfel and outfielder Casper Wells. The Mariners also recalled Mike Carp from his rehab assignment and selected infielder Luis Jimenez. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Jimenez, the Mariners designated outfielder Johermyn Chavez for assignment.
Quiroz was instantly called up by the Red Sox following the trade. Quiroz hit .278 with 15 doubles and 15 home runs in 89 games with Tacoma.