Boston Red Sox defeat Seattle Mariners, 6-3

BOSTON—On a night made for singles, Marco Scutaro came up with a timely pair.

Scutaro's second two-run single gave Boston the lead for good and John Lackey pitched eight strong innings to lead the Red Sox to a 6-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on a windy, drizzly Monday night.

With leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury sidelined for most of the season due to rib injuries, Scutaro has moved from ninth to the top of the order.

"He was always a tough out and never gave ...

In a season defined by the injuries that seem to occur on a weekly basis, it is no minor accomplishment that Marco Scutaro has played in all but four games for the Red Sox.

Scutaro has played in pain at various times over the last five months, his latest problem an inflamed rotator cuff that keeps him from extending his arm back to make the long throws often necessary playing shortstop. He copes with extra stretching, medication, and mounds of ice.

But Scutaro hits l...

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was back in the Red Sox clubhouse yesterday and looked to be in good health. But the infection that put him in Massachusetts General Hospital for four days was an unsettling experience.

The backup catcher nearly required surgery because of an infection that invaded his lower right leg last week.

“They were concerned,’’ Saltalamacchia said. “I didn’t know what to think of it. They said they were close to doing surgery because of how bad it looked...