Red Sox split vs Seattle Mariners: Series breakdown and observations

In danger of losing three out of four to the Seattle Mariners, The Boston Red Sox salvaged a split of the four-game series with a 5-3 win on Sunday afternoon at Fenway.

In a truly strange opening game of the series, Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before issuing two free passes and surrendering a two-run, game-tying double to Ty France. The Red Sox regained the lead on a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning, only for Adam Ottavino to give it right back on two walks and a throwing error to third base.

At this point, Ottavino’s performance is a real concern. He’s put 13 guys on base in just over seven innings pitched, resulting in one loss and two blown saves to his name in just nine appearances. In a season where the bullpen has been mostly reliable, Ottavino has stuck out like a sore thumb.

Fortunately for Ottavino, the ire of Red Sox fans will turn to Darwinzon Hernandez in this one, as he was charged with three earned runs in the top of the tenth inning to seal Boston’s fate.

The Red Sox were back in action on Friday evening, and just held on for a 6-5 win to tie the series at a game apiece.

Starter Martin Perez allowed four hits and four free passes in just three and 2/3 innings, and was extremely lucky to only allow two runs. Perez gave up a run in the first inning, continuing a concerning trend for the Red Sox starting pitchers.

Boston Red Sox still getting it done

However, the Boston bats were up to the task. In the bottom of the first, Xander Bogaerts gave the lead right back to the Red Sox, unloading on a breaking ball from Mariners starter Yusei Kikuchi, and depositing it on Landsdowne Street for a two-run bomb.

The Red Sox never surrendered the lead. On the backs of red-hot JD Martinez and Bogaerts, the Sox stayed one step ahead of the Mariners to secure the win.

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On Saturday afternoon, Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi brought a 3.04 ERA into the matchup, but was charged with four earned runs through just five innings. It was the second consecutive game that Eovaldi gave up four runs. The Red Sox were never in this one. They were down 4-0 after two innings, and Mariners starter Chris Flexen pitched the game of his career, only allowing five baserunners and striking out seven through seven innings of work.

The only bright spots here were Alex Verdugo and Rafael Devers remaining hot, both going 2-4 and accounting for four of the six Red Sox hits on the day.

On Sunday afternoon, Mr. Reliable (AKA Eduardo Rodriguez) was on the bump and prevented the Red Sox from dropping three-of-four in the series. E-Rod was unlucky in the first inning, giving up not one, but two ground balls that turned into doubles, one of them an RBI.

But the Red Sox returned fire in the bottom of the first, simply allowing Mariners starter Nick Margevicius to walk the bases loaded. The Red Sox drew four walks and two hits against Margevicius, recording only one out before he was pulled by Mariners manager Scott Servais. That was all the Red Sox needed, as E-Rod went seven strong before handing the ball over to the bullpen to clinch the win and the series split.

Boston Red Sox hot zone:

Even though he sat out the final game of the series, this one has to go to Alex Verdugo. He’s been absolutely crushing the ball lately, and went 7-13 with four single, a double, a triple, and two steals in the series. Verdugo also gunned Seager down at third base to end an inning and preserve the Red Sox lead on Friday night.

It’s a great sign that this award is extremely difficult to give out. Bogaerts, Martinez, and Devers all have great cases here.

Boston Red Sox cold zone:

This one goes to the Red Sox starting pitchers. They didn’t even have that bad of a series, cumulating a 4.57 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. But prior to this series, the Red Sox starters were essentially a parade of five inning, one or two run starts.

The real issue, however, is that they can’t seem to get out of the first or second inning without surrendering a run or two. While this offense is absolutely built to overcome these deficits – and more often than not, they will – it’s never good to have your hitters step up to the plate for the first time already in the hole.

However, after a two game series against the Mets in Flushing, New York, the Sox will be facing the Texas Rangers, the Detroit Tigers, and the Baltimore Orioles. Just what the doctor ordered for the pitching staff.