M's Hernandez shuts out Red Sox 8-0

Fortunately the Seattle Mariners collected an easy win against a brawl-battered Red Sox team. Friday night after suspensions were issued to Red Sox and Devil Ray players for the bench-clearing melee this week Seattle took advantage facing a less potent lineup. Both Manny and Ortiz were out of action. At Fenway Park there wasn't much to cheer about as Hernandez held Boston to 6 hits and 0 runs while walking 3 batters in 6 innings. Coco Crisp got the start to centerfield for the Red Sox, who apparently will serve his suspension next week for charging the mound and throwing punches in the Devil Rays game.

Richie Sexson went 3-for-4 for the M's with 2 RBIs as part of the lineup's 11 hits. Ichiro drove in 2 runs with a single. Their offense finally sprung to life after a series of petty performances on the field. At 22-39 Seattle has the worst record in baseball. Due to this along with the club's lack of team effort, blunders, and misfortune prompted Coach John McLaren to go on a verbal tirade filled with profanities in a press conference earlier in the week. He later apologized for his choice of words, realizing his conduct was inappropriate yet was so fed up with describing the team's crummy play on the field he just lost it. I can understand his frustration and anger when players aren't producing and everything is going wrong. He knows his job is on the line and there are things he can't control. Letting off some steam back in the clubhouse and yelling at his players probably provided relief and broke the tension.

Even the loss at home Boston remains in first place in the East and won't back down from any challenge. They have a new rival this season in Tampa Bay creating more than friction and crossed words. Until Ortiz returns from the DL it's going to be a sizzling summer month where the Red Sox must try to check their emotions in check. They have a formidable rotation yet how well will the offense hold up until the All-Star break? Following the series against Seattle they'll meet up with the Orioles at home for 3 games. From there they'll bring out the lumber and look to go yard!