Stairs Blamed For Mariners’ Fall Matt Stairs’ Double Lifts Boston 7-6; Seattle Misses Chance To Move Up

The last time Matt Stairs won a game with a pinch hit, he was demoted. This time, Stairs hopes he will earn a spot on Boston’s playoff roster.

Stairs came up from Triple-A on Wednesday to hit a three-run double, keying a five-run seventh inning and leading the Red Sox to a 7-6 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

“Tonight was special. The first day back,” he said. “You always hate being sent down from the big leagues because there’s no place to play like the big leagues. But I understood the move. It was in the team’s best interest and my best interest.”

The victory by the A.L. East-leading Red Sox left the wild card race tighter than ever. Seattle, Milwaukee and Kansas City are one-half game behind Texas for the top spot.

Seattle lost starting pitcher Chris Bosio in the first inning when he was hit in the jaw by Mike Greenwell’s grounder. X-rays were negative and Bosio had seven stitches to close a cut on his chin.

“It was a one-bouncer that he didn’t see,” manager Lou Piniella said. “The doctor feared that the jaw was broken, but the X-rays didn’t show it.”

“I had to go to (Bob) Wells earlier than I wanted because of what happened to Bosio.”

Boston trailed 5-2 in the seventh when Mo Vaughn drew a one-out walk and Jose Canseco singled for his third hit of the game. Greenwell hit a two-run double and Troy O’Leary was walked to load the bases.

Bobby Ayala relieved Jeff Nelson (5-2) and Stairs, called up from Triple-A Pawtucket earlier in the day, batted for Bill Haselman. Stairs put Boston ahead with a double to the right-center gap, then moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Tim Naehring’s single for a 7-5 lead.

Seattle made it 7-6 in the eighth when Joey Cora led off with a triple and scored on Edgar Martinez’s single.