The Red Sox were 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position, leaving 11 men on base. They've now lost four of their last five, after winning eight of their previous nine.
The biggest missed opportunity came in the fifth inning, when the Sox had the bases loaded with no outs. The Sox are now hitting .212 with runners in scoring position this season.
John Lackey and Doug Fister both battled tonight, but the Mariners managed to push the two runs across, which were more than enough.
It will only get more difficult for Boston in the series finale Sunday, as the Sox take on last season's Cy Young Award Winner, Felix Hernandez.
Mid 9th, Mariners 2-0: Daniel Bard came on for the ninth, trying to keep the Sox within two runs.
After getting Jack Wilson to ground out to shortstop on the second pitch of the at-bat, Ichiro lined a base hit back up the middle. He has two hits and has been on base four times.
Chone Figgins worked the count full against Bard, who didn't throw one fastball throughout the at-bat. Bard eventually got him swinging on an 83-mph slider.
Ichiro stole second base as Figgins struck out. Saltalamacchia made a nice throw down to second and nearly got Ichiro, who didn't get a good jump, but he was able to make it in just ahead of Scutaro's tag. Ichiro is tied with Tampa Bay's Sam Fuld for the league lead in stolen bases.
Ryan Langerhans popped out to Lowrie at third, and it's on to the bottom half of the ninth. The Sox will send up Saltalamacchia, Ellsbury and Pedroia as they look to erase a two-run deficit.
Brandon League, who picked up the save for the M's last night, will come into the ballgame seeking his seventh save of the season.
End 8th, Mariners 2-0: J.D. Drew gave one a ride to begin the bottom of the eighth, but it got caught up in the wind and Saunders was able to reel it in at the warning track. It's a long way out towards the triangle and Drew got under it just a bit.
Lowrie, who moved over to third base in the top half of the inning, grounded out to third for the second out. Crawford then got under one to center, where Saunders was able to make a routine grab.
That last swing from Crawford was of the major uppercut variety. He's improved a bit since the beginning of the season, but you still don't want to see a swing like that from a guy with his speed.
Hats off to Mariners reliever Aaron Laffey. He's pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen tonight. Looks like the Sox will have to try and do it in the ninth.
Mid 8th, Mariners 2-0: Encouraging performance in relief by Hideki Okajima. He retired all four batters he faced before giving way to Dan Wheeler.
Wheeler got shortstop Brendan Ryan to pop out upon entering the game.
Marco Scutaro is in the game at shortstop, while Jed Lowrie shifts over to third base. Scutaro ran for Youkilis last inning.
End 7th, Mariners 2-0: Another inning, another opportunity squandered. The Red Sox were able to get runners at second and third with two outs, but David Ortiz flew out to left and the Sox continue to struggle at the plate with runners in scoring position.
Ellsbury tried to bunt his way on to lead off the inning but Aaron Laffey was able to hop off the mount, field it cleanly and record the out. It marked the first time that Ellsbury has been retired tonight.
Dustin Pedroia remains hitless after he grounded out to shortstop Brendan Ryan.
Adrian Gonzalez walked with two outs, reaching base for the second time, and Kevin Youkilis laced a double down the line in left. Ortiz gave one a ride to left field, but the wind knocked it down right in front of the wall and Ryan Langerhans was able to haul it in.
Mid 7th, Mariners 2-0: A strong inning by Hideki Okajima. He retired Ryan Langerhans, Miguel Olivo and Justin Smoak in order.
Langerhans hit a come-backer right at Okajima, who knocked it down and fired to first for the first out of the inning.
Okajima delivered three offspeed pitches to Olivo, who chopped one to Kevin Youkilis for out No. 2. Justin Smoak also faced a heavy dose of offspeed stuff, and he struck out on four pitches.
End 6th, Mariners 2-0: The Red Sox again looked like they had something going in the sixth inning. J.D. Drew lined a double into left-center field and Carl Crawford walked, chasing starter Doug Fister from the game.
Aaron Laffey was able to come into the game to record the third out of the inning, though. He got Jarrod Saltalamacchia to pop out to catcher Miguel Olivo in foul territory.
With the book now closed on each starter, here is how each one fared:
John Lackey: 6 innings, two runs on seven hits, four walks, three strikeouts, 113 pitches (63 strikes)
Doug Fister: 5 2/3 innings, zero runs on five hits, five walks, four strikeouts, 108 pitches (61 strikes)
The Sox had Fister on the ropes multiple times, but they still couldn't push a single run across against the 27-year-old. It will now be up to the Seattle bullpen to preserve the win.
Mid 6th, Mariners 2-0: The Mariners added another run in the sixth on a Jack Wilson sacrifice fly.
Jack Cust had singled to lead off the inning and scored the run. Michael Saunders singled in the inning as well, and advanced on a sac bunt by Brendan Ryan, but he wasn't able to come across.
It could mark the end of the night for Lackey, who's thrown 113 pitches — 63 of which were strikes. Hideki Okajima has been warming up in the Red Sox bullpen and will likely take over in the seventh.
End 5th, Mariners 1-0: A huge missed opportunity for the Red Sox in the fifth as they fail to score despite loading the bases with no outs.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia just missed tying the game to begin the inning when he hit a ball off the wall in left. About a foot higher and it would have been 1-1.
After Jacoby Ellsbury walked, the third time he has been on base, Dustin Pedroia also walked. Pedroia's at-bast last nine pitches.
But after that, just when it looked like the Sox were primed to break out, Adrian Gonzalez scorched one to second baseman Jack Wilson. Wilson was able to double up Ellsbury off second base.
The next batter, Kevin Youkilis, popped out into foul territory, and Fister and the Mariners were able to get out of the jame unscathed.
Mid 5th, Mariners 1-0: It looked as if Lackey would again face some trouble in the fifth after giving up a leadoff single to Figgins. But fortunately the righthander was able to retire the next three batters on only seven pitches.
Ryan Langerhans, in for the ejected Milton Bradley, and Miguel Olivo each flew out. Justin Smoak then grounded out on a curveball from Lackey to end the inning.
End 4th, Mariners 1-0: The 6-foot-8 Doug Fister is pitching well here tonight. After throwing 31 pitches in the first inning, in which the Red Sox left the bases loaded, he's only needed 37 over the course of the next three innings.
Fister has four strikeouts now after sitting down David Ortiz to begin the bottom half of the frame. Jed Lowrie doubled done the right field line after J.D. Drew grounded out, but Carl Crawford wasn't able to drive him in.
It will be interesting to see if the Mariners can give Fister any more run support tonight. He's only 1-3 on the season, but he entered the game with a 2.88 ERA. The Mariners have scored one run or less in three of Fister's five starts. But I guess you can just ask Felix Hernandez how the run support usually is in Seattle.
Mid 4th, Mariners 1-0: John Lackey is now the pitcher that's beginning to labor a bit. He's up to 84 pitches through four innings.
Lackey got into some trouble in the top of the fourth, but he was eventually able to keep the M's off the scoreboard.
Jack Cust walked to lead off the inning. After retiring Michael Saunders and Brendan Ryan, Jack Wilson hit a bloop single into center. The always dangerous Ichiro was unable to push either runner across, though, as he grounded into a force out to Pedroia to end the inning
End 3rd, Mariners 1-0: Jacoby Ellsbury continues to produce out of the leadoff spot, doubling to lead of the inning. But the heart of the Red Sox order left him standing on second base.
Dustin Pedroia was aggressive in his at-bat, but Fister got him to ground out. Gonzalez, who ripped a single into center in his last at-bat, then struck out swinging on a good-looking slider from Fister.
Youkilis grounded out to Brendan Ryan to end the inning. Fister seems to be settle down a little bit — at least compare to the first inning when it looked as if it was going to be a long night.
Mid 3rd, Mariners 1-0: Well, Mariners outfielder Milton Bradley certainly is a loose cannon. His controversial resume proves that. But what a bizarre scene that just transpired.
After it appeared the first base umpire missed a call at first base on a ground out to Kevin Youkilis, Bradley was ejected for arguing by the second base umpire. It was away from the play, unexpected and further proof that you never know what to expect from Bradley.
Nevertheless, the Mariners are on the board first.
After Jack Wilson popped out to Adrian Gonzalez in foul territory, things started to become more difficult for Lackey.
Ichiro fell behind in the count, but managed to walk on eight pitches. As you would expect, Lackey paid close attention to him at first.
Figgins, who's struggled again this season as a member of the Mariners, ripped a base hit to right sending Ichiro from first to third very easily.
The next batter, Milton Bradley, lined a double down the left field line. Ichiro scored from third. Figgins looked like he thought about trying to score, but he put on the breaks after rounding third.
Miguel Olivo then hit a groundball to Youkilis, who looked Figgins back twice before firing it to first. It appeared as though Olivo was safe, but first base umpire Todd Tichenor called him out. Then came Bradley's tirade.
Lackey got out of the inning without any further damage by getting Justin Smoak to ground out.
End 2nd, 0-0: A much quicker and easier inning for Doug Fister this time around.
He sat down the hot-hitting Jed Lowrie on a called third strike and retired Carl Crawford on a slow roller three pitches later.
Saltalamacchia got a good piece of one to left field, but it was right at Milton Bradley for the third out of the inning. It will be Jack Wilson and then the top of the order for the Mariners in the third.
Mid 2nd, 0-0: John Lackey started off the inning strong, striking out Justin Smoak on an off-speed pitch. The next batter, Jack Cust, walked, but Lackey was able to bounce back and retire both Michael Saunders and Brendan Ryan.
Saunders popped out to Youkilis at third and Ryan grounded out to Lowrie. The Red Sox shortstop will lead off the bottom of the first, with Carl Crawford and Jarrod Saltalamacchia to follow.
End 1st, 0-0: The Sox are really making Mariners starter Doug Fister work early. He's labored through 31 pitches already, but got out of a bases loaded jam.
Jacoby Ellsbury earned a leadoff walk on four pitches, and Dustin Pedroia followed up by grounding into a fielder's choice.
Adrian Gonzalez then absolutely ripped an 89-mph fastball into center field to get runners at first and second for the Sox.
Kevin Youkilis battled with Fister for seven pitches before drawing a walk to load the bases. David Ortiz followed up by striking out on a slider down and in, despite getting the count in his favor.
J.D. Drew made Fister throw nine pitches, but he eventually flied out to center to end the inning and leave the bases loaded.
Mid 1st, 0-0: Ichiro started off the game in true Ichiro fashion. He slapped a ground ball into center field for a base hit.
Lackey then struck out his former teammate, Chone Figgins, on a called third strike.
In another classic Ichiro move, the speedy veteran swiped second base and eventually advanced to third on an errant throw by John Lackey on a pickoff attempt.
The M's couldn't push him across, though, as Miguel Olivo grounded out to short.
7:10 p.m.: It's just about time for the first pitch at Fenway Park. John Lackey is getting set to take the hill.
Clay Buchholz will not make his scheduled start on Sunday due to a stomach flu. The versatile Tim Wakefield will pitch in his place for the series finale.
4:45 p.m.: Bobby Jenks allowed two runs in the seventh inning and suffered the loss, spoiling a two home run effort from outfielder Mike Cameron.
John Lackey will take the hill versus Doug Fister for his first start since blanking the Angels on Sunday.
Despite Cameron's offensive assault at Fenway last night, he'll head back to the bench as Carl Crawford returns to the starting lineup. Crawford will hit eighth with Saltalamacchia behind the plate and hitting ninth. Jacoby Ellsbury will remain in the leadoff spot.
Here is a look at the Red Sox lineup:
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
J.D. Drew, RF
Jed Lowrie, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Here is the Seattle Mariners' lineup:
Ichiro Suzuki, RF
Chone Figgins, 3B
Milton Bradley, LF
Miguel Olivo, C
Justin Smoak, 1B
Jack Cust, DH
Michael Saunders, CF
Brendan Ryan, SS
Jack Wilson, 2B
