Lackey and the bats slay the King

The Seattle Mariners have the kind of offense that can make a guy like John Lackey look like Felix Hernandez. The Boston Red Sox have the kind of offense that can make a guy like Felix Hernandez look like John Lackey. To avoid the confusion this creates, the teams have been told to wear uniforms.

In the Boston uniform, John Lackey was very good for the third consecutive start,  allowing just one run as he scattered eight hits over seven innings. He also struck out four and did not issue a walk. The only run against him came in the first after Ichiro singled then stole second and third ahead of a Dustin Ackley single. Lackey then kept the Mariners off the board for six innings as the Red Sox tried to wear down a less than regal Felix Hernandez.

Boston was quick to take the lead back for Lackey. Kevin Youkilis tied the game with an RBI single to score Dustin Pedroia in the first. Jacoby Ellsbury hit a solo home run in the third to give Boston the lead and they would not look back.

Hernandez made it easier on the Sox as he struggled with his control, walking four and allowing 11 hits. In spite of his struggles, he managed to keep the M’s in the game, aided by four (yes, FOUR) very timely double plays. His luck ran out in the seventh though. With one out, Adrian Gonzalez singled in Saltalamacchia and Ellsbury, chasing Hernandez from the game.  Kevin Youkilis greeted reliever Jeff Gray with an RBI double and Gonzalez scored thanks to a throwing error. David Ortiz joined in the fun, driving in Youk to give the Sox a 7-1 lead at the stretch.

The big lead gave Terry Francona a chance to get Franklin Morales some work and he obliviously needed it. He might need more, he needed something tonight. Morales failed to last the one inning. Before he exited, he allowed four hits, including a three run home run by Mike Carp. In all fairness, Carp does hit his share of home runs, that being his second in his 157 times to the plate. Daniel Bard was forced to come on and pick up the pieces to finish the eighth. Jonathan Papelbon breezed through the ninth to pick up the save, leading me to believe that Morales owns Paps in his fantasy league. Well played Frankie.

Josh Beckett is set to go tomorrow, facing rookie right hander Blake Beavan.