The Boston Red Sox scored six runs in the top of the 10th inning to defeat the host Seattle Mariners 9-4 Wednesday afternoon and keep pace in the American League wild-card chase.
The Red Sox (83-65) remained tied with Toronto for the AL’s two wild-card playoff berths. The New York Yankees could create a three-way tie with a victory later Wednesday at Baltimore.
The Mariners (78-68) dropped four games back in their bid for their first postseason appearance since 2001.
Boston’s Jack Lopez, who started the 10th as the runner at second base, advanced to third on a single by Alex Verdugo and broke a 3-3 tie by scoring on a passed ball.
With one out and the bases loaded, J.D. Martinez hit a run-scoring single off the glove of diving shortstop J.P. Crawford, Kyle Schwarber lined a two-run single to right field and Christian Vazquez blooped a two-run double down the first-base line.
Red Sox right-hander Adam Ottavino (7-3) pitched 1 1/3 innings of relief for the victory. Seattle righty Erik Swanson (0-3) never recorded an out in the 10th and took the loss.
Hunter Renfroe homered for the Red Sox, a solo shot in the first inning.
Boston extended the lead to 3-0 in the second as Schwarber walked with one out and moved to third on a ground-rule double by Bobby Dalbec. Schwarber scored on Kevin Plawecki’s groundout and Jose Iglesias hit a two-out double to bring home Dalbec.
The Mariners tied it with a three-run third.
With one out, Jarred Kelenic and Tom Murphy singled, with Kelenic scoring when right fielder Renfroe’s throw to third skipped past Rafael Devers and into the dugout. Crawford walked and both runners advanced on a wild pitch. An out later, Kyle Seager hit a two-run double down the third-base line to make it 3-3.
Six scoreless innings followed before the Red Sox’s outburst in the 10th.
Boston starter Tanner Houck went 4 1/3 innings and allowed three runs on four hits. The right-hander walked one and struck out seven.
Mariners lefty Marco Gonzales went six innings and gave up three runs on three hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts.
–Field Level Media