SEATTLE, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Freddy Garcia got back on track Thursday night with 5 2/3 effective innings, and the offense came up with some timely hits in a four-run fourth inning as the Seattle Mariners posted a 4-3 triumph over the Boston Red Sox.
Seattle, trying to hold off Oakland and Anaheim in the highly-competitive American League West, kicked off a tough week with three games against the Red Sox. The Mariners took the series opener Tuesday and made all the plays on Thursday.
Garcia (13-8), one of the keys to the Mariners' postseason hopes, allowed three runs and seven hits. He walked four and struck out seven in winning for just the second time in eight starts.
Arthur Rhodes was solid in relief, allowing three hits in 2 1/3 innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out four before giving way to closer Kazuhiro Sasaki.
Sasaki, who has scuffled recently, retired Nomar Garciaparra, Manny Ramirez and Cliff Floyd, the heart of Boston's lineup, in order in the ninth to notch his 30th save.
The win was number 1,300 for Seattle Manager Lou Piniella and gave the Mariners some momentum with defending American League champion New York coming to Safeco Field for a three-game set over the weekend.
Boston starter Casey Fossum (2-2) allowed four runs, all unearned, and seven hits in five innings. He was done in by an error by normally reliable second baseman Rey Sanchez in the four-run fourth.
Frank Castillo and Bob Howry combined to allow just one hit over the final three innings, but the Red Sox were unable to rally.
