Tough Luck for Lester in Sox Loss

Coming off a victory in Josh Beckett's return and coupled with a Yankees loss tonight, the Red Sox had a chance to gather a big win and gain some momentum with their de facto ace on the hill. Jon Lester was dealing a perfect game into the sixth inning before the wheels fell off the wagon around him. A dropped fly ball in center field by Eric Patterson allowed one runner to reach before Lester surrendered a home run to give Seattle the lead. On just one hit, he'd found himself trailing the game, 2-1. A suicide squeeze, an RBI single, and a bases-loaded HBP by Manny Delcarmen in the 8th inning added insurance runs for the Mariners, who topped Boston by a 5-1 final.

Lester hurled 7.2 innings and yielded just 4 hits. However, due to some tough luck and a poor relief appearance by Delcarmen, the Sox lefty stud was charged with 5 runs -- 4 earned -- to suffer his 5th loss of the season . He struck out 13 while walking just 1 batter. It took 124 pitches before Francona had no choice but to replace him.

The lone piece of offense for the Sox was a David Ortiz home run in the 4th inning. It was Big Papi's 19th dinger. Boston was 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and stranded 7 runners on base.

Daisuke Matsuzaka (7-3, 4.29) takes the hill for the Red Sox tomorrow in the finale of this series with the Mariners. Boston remains 7 games behind the Yankees and is now 4 games behind Tampa Bay. Tomorrow's game starts at 4:10 PM ET.