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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
BOSTON (AP) -- A September call-up paid off big for the Seattle
Mariners.
Brian Lesher, making his first big league appearance of the
season, had a pinch-hit RBI triple and two-run double in two
at-bats, helping the Mariners past the Boston Red Sox 4-1 Saturday.
|  | | Brian Lesher of the Mariners watches his ninth-inning, two-run double at Fenway Park on Saturday. It was Lesher's first big-league game of the season. |
"That was a big day for that young man," Seattle manager Lou
Piniella said. "He got us ahead and put us more ahead in the ninth
inning. I'm glad we called him up when we did."
Lesher, who had just seven at-bats in 1999, was called up from
Triple-A Tacoma when rosters were expanded Friday.
The Mariners broke up a scoreless game with a run in the seventh. Mark McLemore had a two-out single against Hipolito
Pichardo, and pinch-hitter Lesher tripled off Rheal Cormier when
right fielder Trot Nixon got twisted on a ball over his head that
could have been caught.
"I knew my job was going to be against left-handed pitching,"
Lesher said. "Nervous? No I wasn't. I was thinking I will be. I
was surprised I wasn't."
Edgar Martinez, who entered the game 0-for-20 against Boston
this season, hit a tiebreaking homer leading off the eighth inning,
while Freddy Garcia pitched seven strong innings.
Seattle added a pair of runs in the ninth off Rich Garces (8-1)
on Lesher's two-run double.
The win was just the Mariners' fourth in 19 games and spoiled
Boston's chance to tie Cleveland for the AL wild card lead. The
Indians, who own a one-game lead over the Red Sox, lost 8-6 to
Baltimore.
Martinez hit the second pitch of the eighth inning from Garces
into the center-field seats for his career-high 33rd homer. He
leads the majors with 128 RBIs.
Garcia (5-4) gave up one run and three hits, struck out seven
and walked none in breaking a four-game winless streak.
Arthur Rhodes pitched one scoreless inning before Kazuhiro
Sasaki got three outs for his 31st save in 34 chances.
Sasaki retired the final two hitters with runners on first and
second. It's the second-most saves by a Mariners pitcher. Jose Mesa
(1999) and Mike Schooler (1989) own the club record with 33. "Sasaki's been great for us this year," Martinez said.
"He's pitched very well," Piniella said of his closer. "He's
got 31 saves now. I hope he gets the chance to get 10 or 12 more."
Troy O'Leary's 11th homer tied it in the seventh. Boston starter Ramon Martinez, making his first start since
being sidelined with a right knee contusion on July 31, allowed two
hits and no runs in 5 1-3 innings. He walked four and struck out three.
"I feel very strong right now," Martinez said. "This is going
to be a very interesting month. I know I can help the team."
Seattle loaded the bases on two walks and a hit baseman with one
out against Martinez in the sixth, but Pichardo got Carlos Guillen
to foul out and struck out Mike Cameron.
Just like Friday's game, both teams were scoreless after five
innings. Martinez breezed through the first five, allowing just two
singles, a pair of walks and a hit batsman.
Garcia was better, though. The Red Sox had a two-out double by
Carl Everett in the first, but only one other baserunner: Mike
Lansing snapped a 3-for-34 stretch with a single in the second.
"When he was able to get ahead with his fastball, he had a very
good changeup," Boston's Rico Brogna said of Garcia. After Lansing's single, Garcia retired 13 straight before O'Leary's homer.
Game notes
Seattle first baseman John Olerud, who was not with the
club for the second straight game after his wife gave birth to a
daughter, is expected back Sunday. ... Mariners right fielder Jay
Buhner went 1-for-3 with a walk in his return from the disabled
list for a sprained right pinky and wrist. ... Boston's Nomar
Garciaparra batted second for the second straight game. ...
Martinez was 0-for-21 against Boston before he singled in the
fourth. ... Pichardo and SS Garciaparra made nice plays on
consecutive grounders in the seventh. Pichardo barehanded a slow
roller before throwing out Oliver, and Garciaparra went behind the
bag and threw from the second-base side to get David Bell. ... The
game's start was delayed by rain for 1 hour, 44 minutes.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Seattle Clubhouse
Boston Clubhouse
Boston's Saberhagen ends surgery comeback bid, calls it a season
Reds deal Bichette to Boston on last day for deals
RECAPS
Seattle 4
Boston 1
Baltimore 8
Cleveland 6
Oakland 8
Toronto 0
Kansas City 7
Tampa Bay 5
NY Yankees 13
Minnesota 4
Detroit 5
Texas 3
Chi. White Sox 13
Anaheim 6
St. Louis 2
NY Mets 1
Milwaukee 8
Colorado 3
San Francisco 13
Chicago Cubs 2
Montreal 9
Cincinnati 5
Atlanta 8
Houston 6
Florida 10
Arizona 1
Pittsburgh 6
San Diego 3
Los Angeles 1
Philadelphia 0
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