Boston @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 28, 2012 ) Boston 0, Seattle 1

The Seattle Mariners are struggling to score runs but one was plenty in the opener of a four-game set against the visiting Boston Red Sox. Seattle has scored just five runs in five games heading into Friday’s contest but is fresh off a 1-0 victory as Felix Hernandez matched his career-high with 13 strikeouts. Boston is 11-4 over its last 15 games and had scored 74 runs in 10 games prior to being blanked in the opener.

Red Sox veteran David Ortiz has been a huge factor in the run-scoring splurge. Ortiz has 16 RBIs in his last 16 games and has smashed nine home runs in June. Boston is 6 1/2 games off the pace in the American League East. Pinch hitter John Jaso delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth inning as Seattle continues to get fantastic pitching. The Mariners have allowed just eight runs over the last six games and have given up two or fewer runs in each of them, which sits one short of the club record set last season.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, New England Sports Network (Boston), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Aaron Cook (1-1, 9.39 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Hector Noesi (2-9, 5.50)

Cook is making his second start since returning from a knee injury. He defeated the Atlanta Braves last Sunday when he gave up two earned runs and six hits in five innings. Cook has never previously faced Seattle.

Noesi is 0-6 with three no-decisions since beating the Minnesota Twins on May 6. He lost to the San Diego Padres in his last outing when he gave up two runs and seven hits in six innings. Noesi has allowed 15 homers but none over his last two starts. He has a 6.43 ERA in two career relief appearances against Boston.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Red Sox 1B Adrian Gonzalez is batting .351 during a nine-game hitting streak.

2. Mariners OF Franklin Gutierrez suffered a mild concussion when hit in the face by a pickoff throw Thursday and will be re-evaluated Friday.

3. Boston OFs Jacoby Ellsbury (shoulder) and Scott Podsednik (groin) are both starting rehab assignments on Friday. Fellow OF Carl Crawford (elbow) started one earlier this week.