SEATTLE (AP) — Chone Figgins’ sacrifice fly in the 11th inning was deep enough for Dustin Ackley to beat Cody Ross’ throw to the plate and the Seattle Mariners beat the Boston Red Sox 3-2 on Saturday night.
With the Red Sox’s infield playing in and expecting a possible squeeze bunt from Figgins, Seattle manager Eric Wedge let his little-used utility player hit. Figgins came through with a line drive off Boston closer Alfredo Aceves (0-5) that Ross caught cleanly and made a strong throw, but the ball bounced before getting to the plate and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia could not pick it cleanly.
Ackley started the rally with a one-out single and advanced to third on Miguel Olivo’s base hit.
Shawn Kelley (2-2) pitched the 11th for the victory, but the bigger performance was Seattle closer Tom Wilhelmsen working two scoreless innings.
