SEATTLE — Starting pitcher Felix Hernandez turned in another impressive start on Monday night, and this time the Seattle Mariners actually gave him enough run support to turn it into a win.
First baseman Logan Morrison hit two home runs and drove in four runs during a 4-for-4 night to help Hernandez earn his first win in a span of four starts by way of a 12-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox.
Hernandez (9-2) allowed two runs on six hits over seven innings of work to earn his first win since June 2. It marked the eighth consecutive start in which Hernandez has allowed two runs or fewer while going at least seven innings. In his previous three outings, Hernandez allowed 11 total hits and two total runs in 22 1/3 innings of work — only to have two no-decisions and a 1-0 loss to show for it.
Seattle had five of its 14 hits during a six-run fourth inning that blew the game open and chased Boston starter John Lackey (8-5) from the game. The Mariners (41-36) matched their season high for runs in a game while coming within one hit of their season-high total of 15.
Morrison had a solo homer in the second inning and a two-run shot in the seventh, with a pair of singles in between. He scored during Seattle’s six-run fourth inning and drove in a run with his fifth-inning single. Morrison, who entered the game with two home runs and five RBIs on the season, also walked in the eighth.
Lackey allowed seven runs on seven hits over 3 2/3 innings — his shortest outing since Sept. 9, 2011. Reliever Chris Capuano didn’t fare any better, allowing five runs on six hits in 2 1/3 innings of work.
Designated hitter David Ortiz, second baseman Dustin Pedroia and first baseman Mike Napoli each had two hits for the Red Sox (35-42).
The Mariners batted around while chasing Lackey from the game during the fourth-inning rally that saw Seattle open up a 7-2 lead. Lackey threw 38 pitches during the inning, including a run-scoring wild pitch, while allowing five hits and two walks. The crushing blow was a two-out, bases-loaded triple from Seattle right fielder Endy Chavez on Lackey’s final pitch of the night.
Morrison drove in a pair of runs over the first five innings, with a solo homer in the second and an RBI single in the fifth that gave the Mariners an 8-2 lead.
Napoli hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning to give the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. It marked the first home run allowed by Hernandez in a span of 12 starts. The last home run he had allowed came on April 21.
A two-out rally in the top of the first put the Red Sox ahead 1-0. Pedroia started it with an infield single off Hernandez, then moved to second on a throwing error on Mariners shortstop Brad Miller. Ortiz then brought Pedroia home with an RBI single on the next at-bat.
NOTES: Heading into Monday’s game, the Red Sox had an all-time record of 226-163 against Seattle. The .581 winning percentage was the highest of any American League team against the Mariners since Seattle came into the league in 1977. … C/OF Alex Jackson, the sixth overall selection in the June draft, officially signed with the Mariners and took batting practice with the team before the game. His signing bonus was worth a reported $4 million. … Seattle RHP Fernando Rodney was not available Monday after making appearances in four consecutive games. He saved all three games in the weekend series against the Kansas City Royals.