Red Sox Look to Clinch Series Win As Jon Lester Takes Mound in Seattle

The Red Sox can clinch a series win for just the second time this month when they take on the lowly Seattle Mariners on Saturday. 

A strong return to the starting rotation by Josh Beckett and a solo homer by Bill Hall enabled the Sox to win 2-1 on Friday. It is the first time the club has won back-to-back games since the first two games of the month. Local boy Jon Lester goes for Boston on Saturday. He grew up in nearby Tacoma and will be making his fifth career start in front of family and friends at Safeco Field. David Pauley, who came up through the Red Sox’ system with Lester before being traded away before the 2009 season, gets the call for Seattle.

WHEN AND WHERE

Red Sox (55-42) at Mariners (37-60)
Saturday, July 24, 10:10 p.m.
Safeco Field, Seattle

HEAD TO HEAD

The Sox are 23-30 all-time in Safeco Field.

PITCHING MATCHUP

LHP Jon Lester (11-4, 2.81 ERA) vs. RHP David Pauley (0-2, 2.40 ERA)

Usually a fantastic second-half pitcher, Lester’s first start after the All-Star break was not his best. Not that it was bad, but allowing four runs — three earned — in eight innings stands out on the lefty’s game log. Prior to the loss to Texas on Sunday in Fenway Park, Lester had allowed two runs or less in 13 out of 15 games. Lester has struggled a bit against his hometown team. He is 1-1 with a 5.48 ERA at Safeco Field, where the Mariners have hit .327 against him. Pauley, who made three starts for the Red Sox in 2006 and two more in 2008, remains in search of his first major league win. Given a chance to join the Mariners’ rotation after the trade of Cliff Lee, Pauley has allowed four earned runs in 11 innings over two starts.

LINEUPS

STAT SHEET

Red Sox

• Infielder/outfielder Bill Hall’s 10th home run Friday night gives the Sox six players with double figures in the category. 
• First baseman Kevin Youkilis and third baseman Adrian Beltre are a combined 28-for-70 (.400) since the All-Star break. 
• Righty Daniel Bard has 15 straight scoreless outings.

Mariners

• First baseman Justin Smoak is hitless in his last 16 at-bats. 
• Outfielder Milton Bradley is 6-for-40 (.150) since the break. 
• Right fielder Ichiro Suzuki had gone 15 games without a stolen base before swiping second in the first inning Friday.

BLACK AND BLUE

Red Sox

• Second baseman Dustin Pedroia (broken left foot) has started to swing and perform strengthening exercises. He will be examined again Monday in Los Angeles.
• Catcher Jason Varitek remains on crutches and is a couple of weeks behind Pedroia in terms of his recovery from a broken left foot.
• Catcher Victor Martinez caught Tim Wakefield’s bullpen session Thursday and will catch Clay Buchholz’s on Saturday. He could return next week from a broken left thumb.
• Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury has begun to take live batting practice as he continues to rehab from a broken rib in Fort Myers. Manager Terry Francona said there is a chance Ellsbury begins playing in minor league games next week.
• Mike Lowell went 1-for-5 in his first rehab game for Pawtucket on Thursday. He served as the designated hitter but should get some action at first and third base.
• Righty Junichi Tazawa underwent Tommy John surgery in March. He is out for the year.

Mariners

• First baseman Russell Branyan has been bothered by a sore left foot and a stiff back.
• Left-hander Erik Bedard remains sidelined following shoulder surgery last August. He was slated to return in early July but has still felt some discomfort and may not return until next month.
• Designated hitter Mike Sweeney is on the DL with back spasms. He may return soon.

OUTLOOK

When the Red Sox blew a five-run lead in the bottom of the ninth in the opener of this series Thursday night, there was a dark cloud beginning to move overhead. It was tough to imagine them recovering from such a loss. But Boston rallied in extra innings, and after Beckett’s solid return the next night, the club is on the verge of its first three-game winning streak in nearly a month.