Lester keeps M's off scoreboard

BY RYAN DIVISH | The News Tribune • Published July 22, 2008 SEATTLE - It was a match-up of two teams, with two different hitting philosophies and two very different records on the season. Could there be a correlation? While the Boston Red Sox waited, watched and worked counts in every at-bat, trying to get that perfect pitch to hit, the Seattle Mariners hacked and hurried their way through each plate appearance, and were ultimately humbled by Tacoma native Jon Lester, in a 4-0 loss, Monday at Safeco Field. It was a study in contrasts of hitting approaches. Boston hitters showing ultra-patience with Mariners starter Jarrod Washburn, driving up his pitch count and driving from the game after just 5 2/3 innings and 112 pitches. Meanwhile, Seattle hitters made a tough pitcher balmost unhittable, swinging early, swinging often and... [read full story]