RED SOX8

MARINERS4

Winning pitcher: Justin Masterson (3-2)

Losing pitcher: Miguel Batista (5-3)

Red Sox HRs: Dustin Pedroia (3), David Ortiz (9), Jacoby Ellsbury (5)

PLAY OF THE GAME

Trailing 4-3 in the seventh inning with two outs, David Ortiz hit an RBI single to tie the game, setting the stage for what proved to be a decisive five-run inning that allowed the Sox to pull away from Seattle.

GAME MVP:

Ortiz. The media/fans' favorite whipping boy in the early part of the season is starting to re-establish himself as a presence in the middle of the Sox lineup. Ortiz smashed a solo homer in the first inning over the bullpen, then added the game-tying RBI in the seventh.

CRISIS AVERTED

The comeback victory over the Mariners kept a few Red Sox streaks alive. Boston has not been swept at home this season and it has not had a three-game losing streak inside the friendly walls of Fenway this year. Seattle, meanwhile, has never swept a three-game series at Fenway.

THEY SAID IT

"I kept us in there as long as I could. If I can keep us within striking distance like that, we'll win a lot of ballgames," Red Sox starter Jon Lester said after throwing 122 pitches through 6 2/3 innings. Lester allowed eight hits and four runs (one earned) while striking out nine.

COMING UP NEXT:

The Red Sox open a three-game series with the Oakland A's at Fenway at 7:10 p.m. tonight on NESN and broadcast locally on North Shore 104.9 FM.

— MATT JENKINS

THE BIG NUMBER

6: Red Sox players selected to the All-Star Game, which will be played in St. Louis on July 14. The league-high total includes voted-in starters Dustin Pedroia and Jason Bay, as well as reserve infielder Kevin Youkilis. Pitchers Josh Beckett, Tim Wakefield and Jonathan Papelbon were also selected. The 42-year-old Wakefield, who is tied for the league lead with 10 wins, will be making his first appearance.