Boston @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 30, 2012 ) Boston 2, Seattle 3

The Seattle Mariners aren’t scoring many runs these days, which prompted manager Eric Wedge to hold a team meeting prior to Saturday’s game. The Mariners didn’t exactly respond by lighting up the scoreboard, but timely hitting resulted in their second walk-off win in three games. Seattle will try for a series victory over Boston when they host the Red Sox on Sunday in the finale of the four-game series.

Seattle’s 3-2 victory Saturday looked a lot like Thursday’s 1-0 win. Both games ended with close plays at the plate after throws from right fielder Cody Ross. Chone Figgins’ sacrifice fly Saturday followed John Jaso’s game-winning single Thursday.

The Mariners’ Jason Vargas gets another crack at the Red Sox after he was roughed up for five runs in a 6-1 loss at Boston on May 14. He will oppose Felix Doubront, who is making his first career start against the Mariners and is coming off his worst outing of the season.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), Root Sports (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Felix Doubront (8-4, 4.54 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Jason Vargas (7-7, 4.54)

Doubront allowed seven runs (five earned), 11 hits and two home runs in six innings in a 9-6 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday. He was touched for four runs and nine hits in six innings against Miami on June 20 in his previous start, but earned the victory. Doubront has 87 strikeouts in 85 1/3 innings.

Vargas matched a career high with 10 strikeouts and allowed two runs and three hits in 6 2/3 innings in his last start, but didn’t receive a decision in Seattle’s 3-2 victory over Oakland on Tuesday. He is 1-2 in four career starts against Boston. The Red Sox roster is hitting .235 against him, although Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz are a combined 7-for-20 and Kelly Shoppach is 4-for-9 with a homer.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston’s David Ortiz has 399 career homers.

2. Seattle has scored eight runs in its last seven games. … The Mariners are 2-3 against the Red Sox this season and have been outscored 18-5.

3. Boston’s Adrian Gonzalez has an 11-game hitting streak.