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Red Sox Complete Sweep In 12

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By GREGG BELL

The Associated Press

Published: July 24, 2008

SEATTLE - Mike Lowell hit a two-run single off Sean Green in the 12th inning, and the Red Sox took advantage of two outfield errors to beat the lowly Mariners 6-3 on Wednesday and complete Boston's first series sweep at Seattle in 15 years.

The Red Sox entered the series having lost eight of 11 on the road, leaving Manager Terry Francona to say he was perplexed. They flew home for a weekend against the surging New York Yankees after their first three-game sweep on the road this season.

Boston stayed a half-game behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.
Raul Ibanez and Jose Vidro hit home runs for Seattle, which lost its fifth consecutive game. The Mariners expected to be in the postseason but sunk a season-low 25 games under .500, and are in clearance-sale mode for the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline. Ibanez and Vidro are top candidates to go.
Jacoby Ellsbury began the 12th with his fourth hit in 34 at-bats, a single off Green (2-3). A hit-and-run groundout by Dustin Pedroia got Ellsbury to second before Green intentionally walked J.D. Drew.
Kevin Youkilis then hit a liner that center fielder Willie Bloomquist sprinted deep for but had clang off the inside of his glove. The error loaded the bases, and Lowell unloaded them with his second hit of the game. Sean Casey, starting at designated hitter because Manny Ramirez was out with a sore knee, singled home Youkilis to make it 6-3.
Craig Hansen allowed Seattle to load the bases with two outs in the bottom of the 12th but retired Vidro on a ground out for his second save in four chances.

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