Ackley’s 3-run HR sends Mariners past Red Sox 7-3

BOSTON – The Mariners have scored in only two innings the past two days, and that’s still been enough to beat slumping Boston.

Dustin Ackley’s three-run homer capped a seven-run fourth inning that carried the Mariners to a 7-3 win Saturday, sending the Red Sox to their seventh straight loss.

After rallying against closer Koji Uehara for five runs in the ninth and a 5-3 victory Friday night, the Mariners broke loose once again Saturday en route to their ninth win in 12 games.

“I don’t care how we get them as long as we get them,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “That was nice, to bounce back like that.”

The victory increased Seattle’s slim lead over Detroit for the second American League wild card.

Ackley was prepared for Brandon Workman after earning a 12-pitch walk his first time up.

“That first at-bat was huge, kind of seeing everything,” Ackley said. “He threw me everything he had. Change-up, curveball, cutter, fastball. That was a good at-bat, that first at-bat. It gave me a gauge for the rest of my at-bats against him.”

Trailing 3-0 in the fourth, the Mariners chased Workman (1-8) with their big inning.

Chris Denorfia had an RBI double, and Chris Taylor and Jesus Sucre added run-scoring singles before Ackley hooked a drive around the right-field foul pole. Workman’s wild pitch allowed Denorfia to score the tying run.

Boston designated hitter David Ortiz reached base twice (walk, hit by pitch) – snapping his streak of reaching base four times in a game at four – before leaving with a bruised left elbow.

Dustin Pedroia had a double and two singles for the Red Sox.

Tom Wilhelmsen (2-2) struck out three in 1 1/3 innings of relief after starter Chris Young couldn’t make it out of the fourth.

Young gave up three runs on seven hits and five walks in 3 2/3 innings. It was his shortest start since his second of the season when he lasted just three innings at Miami.

Workman lost his seventh consecutive start, getting tagged for seven runs and 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings.

“He gets through the first three innings in good shape,” Boston manager John Farrell said. “In the fourth inning where things started to slip away from him, he still pitched ahead in the count, and unfortunately was unable to put a number of hitters away.”