SEATTLE -- It wasn't by a lopsided score and it didn't begin with the opponent scoring multiple runs in the first inning or two. But for the Red Sox, it ended the same way: with a loss.
The Sox dropped a 4-1 decision to the Seattle Mariners Monday, their seventh straight loss. The last losing streak to last longer was in late August through early September under interim manager Joe Kerrigan.
This time, the Sox actually grabbed an early lead -- their first lead of any kind since the first game of their ill-fated road trip -- when Cody Ross singled home Dustin Pedroia.
But the Sox were blanked over the next eight innings and have scored just 16 over the last seven games.
Clay Buchholz, 11-5, allowed all four runs in the fourth inning, though only three were earned.
The Seattle rally began with a infield chopper to third that Franklin Gutierrez beat out. After Buchholz plunked Kyle Seager, John Jaso singled to right. Another single to right from John Jaso scored a second run.
With runners at the corner, Jacoby Ellsbury caught a fly ball off the bat of Eric Thames, but short hopped his throw to the plate. Ryan Lavarnway bobbled it, allowing Jaso to score. When shortstop Jose Iglesias bobbled the transfer on a routine grounder, it allowed Smoke to score the fourth run of the inning.
The four runs in the same inning matched the number of runs the light-hitting Mariners managed in their previous two games combined.
STAR OF THE GAME: Jason Vargas
Vargas went seven innings and allowed a single run on six hits. He didn't walked a batter and struck out five to win his 14th game of the season.
HONORABLE MENTION: Dustin Pedroia
Pedroia extended his hitting streak to 14 games with two more hits. He also scored a run and stole a base. Yes, the Red Sox are losing, but Pedroia doesn't have anything for which to apologize.
GOAT OF THE GAME: Ryan Lavarnway
Lavarnway was 0-for-3, dropping his average to .174 for the season. He also mishandled a throw from center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, allowing the third run of the fourth inning inning to score.
TURNING POINT: Mike Aviles led off the fifth with a single to left, marking the first time that the Sox had put the leadoff man on all day. But Aviles was soon erased on a fielder's choice and the Sox got a baserunner into scoring position only once the rest of the way.
BY THE NUMBERS: For almost the last month -- dating back to Aug. 5 -- Dustin Pedroia leads all major leaguers with a .381 batting average.
QUOTE OF NOTE: "Clay deserved better than what we allowed to happen there. He deserved better than that." Ryan Lavarnway on the sloppy four-run fourth inning that sunk starter Clay Buchholz.
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