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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sox complete sweep

Lowell delivers two-run single in 12th

By Gregg Bell Associated Press

SEATTLE – Can’t win on the road. Top sluggers are out. Soaring Yankees are next.

Come visit Seattle, everyone’s cure-all.

Mike Lowell hit a two-run single off Sean Green in the 12th inning, and the Red Sox took advantage of two outfield errors to beat the sunken Mariners 6-3 on Wednesday and complete Boston’s first series sweep at Seattle in 15 years.

The Red Sox entered the series having lost eight of 11 on the road, leading manager Terry Francona to say he was perplexed. They flew home for the latest showdown with New York after their first three-game sweep on the road this season.

Even without David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, who rested Wednesday with a sore knee, Boston stayed a half-game behind first-place Tampa Bay in the A.L. East.

“Since I’ve been with the Red Sox, we don’t play well in Seattle. So this was a big series for us,” Lowell said.

Asked if he thinks the Red Sox have successfully weathered their road woes and the loss of Ortiz, due back Friday after being out since injuring his wrist May 30, Lowell said: “I think we’ve done that … but you’ve got to do that. No one else is going to feel sorry for you.”

Save the pity for the Mariners.

Raul Ibanez and Jose Vidro hit home runs in the fifth consecutive loss for the A.L.’s worst team. Seattle expected to be in the postseason but dropped a season-low 25 games under .500. The Mariners are now in clearance-sale mode for the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline, with Ibanez and Vidro the top candidates to go.

“No matter how many times you get hit between the eyes, you have to get back up and get after it,” Ibanez said.

Jacoby Ellsbury began the 12th with his fourth hit in 34 at-bats, a single off Green (2-3). A hit-and-run groundout by Dustin Pedroia got Ellsbury to second before Green intentionally walked J.D. Drew.

Kevin Youkilis then hit a liner that center fielder Willie Bloomquist sprinted deep for but had clang off the inside of his glove.

“I just flat-out missed it. I can’t sit here and make excuses,” said Bloomquist, whom manager Jim Riggleman had moved from shortstop to center field in the ninth inning to get Yuniesky Betancourt into the game.

The error loaded the bases, and Lowell unloaded them with his second hit of the game. Sean Casey, the designated hitter for Ramirez, singled home Youkilis to make it 6-3.

Craig Hansen allowed Seattle to load the bases with two outs in the bottom of the 12th but retired Vidro on a ground out for his second save in four chances.

“That wasn’t pretty, but we’ll take it,” Francona said.