Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - After a first-inning RBI single by Cody Ross, Jason Vargas neutralized the Boston Red Sox over his final six innings of work, helping the Seattle Mariners to a 4-1 victory in the opener of a three- game set.
In all, Vargas (14-9) pitched seven innings, allowing six hits and one run, while striking out five. He became the first pitcher besides Felix Hernandez to win 14 games for the club since 2003.
Tom Wilhelmsen locked it down in the ninth, recording his 23rd save of the season. He worked around a one-out error by Dustin Ackley and retired the final two batters by groundout.
Overall, Clay Buchholz (11-5) pitched well, but struggled in the fourth inning behind some shaky defense. Buchholz went seven innings and gave up four runs - three earned - on six hits. He struck out eight and walked one.
The Sports Network