BOSTON — Justin Masterson is making it difficult for the Red Sox to send him back to the minors.
Masterson pitched six strong innings and J.D. Drew hit a go-ahead homer for Boston, lifting the Red Sox to a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners yesterday.
"Every time he takes the ball, the organization's got their chest out a little, as they should," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "This isn't a fluke. He's been prepared very well how to pitch, how to act and how to compete. It's exciting."
Masterson (3-0) gave up one run on three hits and struck out four for Boston, which has won 15 of its last 16 at home and eight of 10 overall. Jonathan Papelbon pitched a perfect ninth for his 18th save.
"Anytime you get called up, you want to do your best," Masterson said. "I am just trying to give us a chance to win."
Masterson has taken advantage of the injuries to Clay Buchholz and Daisuke Matsuzaka after being sent down after each of his first two starts.
"A lot of his success is bred from confidence he has gained from his starts," catcher Jason Varitek said.
Drew greeted Seattle reliever Sean Green (1-2) with his eighth homer of the season in the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie. It was only the second homer allowed by Green, who made his 32nd appearance, tied for first in the American League.
"He's been hot and he got me," Green said. "I have no explanation for our road woes. We're playing hard and it's just not happening right now."
Seattle has dropped 15 of 17 on the road.
Mariners starter Erik Bedard lasted only five innings, despite giving up only two hits and one run. It was only the third time in his last six starts that he has made it through the fifth.
Seattle went ahead 1-0 in the second inning on an RBI groundout by Yuniesky Betancourt. On the previous at-bat by Richie Sexson, Drew made a highlight-reel over-the-shoulder catch while battling the sun to rob Sexson of extra bases.
"Sexson hit that ball well, but Drew ran it down," Mariners manager John McLaren said. "Bedard hung in there well, but he threw a lot of pitches."
Boston tied it in the third at 1, but failed to break it open when Bedard struggled with his control while throwing 40 pitches. After Coco Crisp singled, Brandon Moss and Dustin Pedroia walked to load the bases. Drew was hit by a pitch forcing Crisp home, but Manny Ramirez struck out to end the threat. Ramirez later extended his hitting streak to 13 games.
Notes: Masterson became the first pitcher in the history of Fenway Park to go unbeaten in his first four starts. ... Francona announced before the game that he hoped Jacoby Ellsbury would return to the Boston lineup tomorrow. ... Bedard has allowed one run in 12 innings against Boston this season.
Stoglin's frustrations boil over following Duke loss-2/12
Timonen "disappointed" in teammates' effort
Morganti: 'Rangers' power play demolished the Flyers'
Timonen: 'I think we got half the guys going and half the guys not'
More shootout woes in store for the Flyers when they face the Red Wings?
The Rangers have the Flyers' number
St. Joseph's vs. Massachusetts Highlights - 2/11
Penn vs. Dartmouth Highlights - 2/11
Drexel vs. Hofstra Highlights - 2/11
La Salle vs. St. Louis Highlights - 2/11
John Wall talks about the loss to the Heat-2/10
Collins takes the blame for the Sixers' final possession
Sixers vs. Clippers highlights
Sixers defensive effort not enough vs. Clippers
Post game plus crew on the Sixers loss
Rose and Zumoff recap the Sixers last second loss
Penn vs. Harvard highlights
Stefon Diggs chooses Maryland, Randy Edsall comments-2/10
Cal Ripken says the Orioles will go as far as their pitching-2/10
Sandusky makes a statement
Julien: 'did it the hard way'
McAdam's Spring Training primer
Doc: Team's effort is 'un-Celtic'
Pierce stresses mental toughness
Globe 10.0 Who was the best free agent in Boston?
Maria Menounos dons a Giants-colored bikini after losing Super Bowl bet-2/7
Thomas' moratorium: 'I'm out, peace'
Gasol: 'Not pleasant' being part of trade rumor
Blakely: Gasol-for-Rondo trade unlikely
Brady-ing is Latest Internet Meme
Globe 10.0: Is Paul Pierce the Celtics greatest scorer?
Ranking Pierce among Celtics greats
Garnett's tale of first meeting Paul Pierce
Pierce's loyalty touted after big night
Hurt Locker: Patriots react to Super Bowl loss
Brown: 'Eli Manning is better than Tom Brady'
Local fans crushed by Patriots loss in Super Bowl XLVI
Marcus Johansson Caps lone goal in loss to Bruins-2/5
Matt Hendricks throws down with the Bruins' Adam McQuaid--2/5
Vinatieri, Law, Brown recount Super Bowl XXXVI
