Mariners vs Red Sox (8/3-8/5)

Game 1: Jon Lester made his 3rd start since returning to the Boston Red Sox on Friday night. Lester wasn't on top of his game as he allowed 4 runs and 8 hits in 5 innings.

The Red Sox and Mariners were tied at 4 after 5 innings but the Mariners started to pull away in the 6th inning and were able to pick up insurance runs in the 7th as they won by the score of 7-4.

Game 2: Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched very well on Saturday night in a 4-3 Red Sox victory. Matsuzaka pitched 7 innings and allowed 2 runs while striking out 10.

Red Sox runs were driven in by David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, and Jason Varitek.

Eric Gagne pitched the 8th inning with a 2-run lead. Gagne retired the 1st two batters he faced before allowing 3 consecutive hits and a run to score. The new Red Sox reliever was able to get out of trouble, however, when he induced a comebacker that he threw to 1st base for the final out of the inning.

Jonathan Papelbon came in to pitch the 9th and walked 2 batters before retiring the Mariners in the bottom of the 9th for a Red Sox win.

Game 3: Josh Beckett pitched a gem on Sunday afternoon as he went 6 innings while only allowing 1 run. He struck out 9 Mariners on the afternoon.

In addition to Beckett's stellar pitching, the Red Sox got a good offensive effort against Seattle starter Miguel Batista. The Red Sox offense scored 9 runs as Manny Ramirez homered and Coco Crisp, Mike Lowell, and Julio Lugo had 2-hit performances.

At the conclusion of the Sox-Marniers series, the Red Sox hold a 7 game lead on the AL East over the New York Yankees. The Yankees have been hot lately and are only 1/2 game out of the AL Wildcard.

On Deck: The Red Sox begin a 3-game series with the Anaheim Angels on Monday night as they continue their 6-game trip to the West Coast. Curt Schilling will start the opener for the Red Sox in his 1st start back from the disabled list.