Boston @ Seattle preview

Boston at Seattle

Last Meeting ( Jul 22, 2010 ) Boston 8, Seattle 6

If Josh Beckett’s return Friday night after eight weeks on the disabled list goes anything like John Lackey’s start on Thursday, the Boston Red Sox should be in for a treat.

Beckett will face Seattle left-hander Jason Vargas in the second game of a four-game series tonight at Safeco Field.

Thursday’s opener had a little bit of everything, with Seattle almost being no-hit and then nearly pulling out a dramatic comeback before losing 8-6 in 13 innings.

Lackey threw a no-hitter for 7 2/3 innings before former Boston catcher Josh Bard broke it up with a single. Still, Lackey allowed two hits in eight innings and left with a 6-1 lead.

Seattle used a five-run ninth-inning rally – the biggest ninth-inning rally in franchise history – to force extra innings. The Mariners had the bases loaded in the 12th but got two popouts before Boston won in the 13th on a two-out, two-run double by Eric Patterson.

Beckett had a rough April and May, going 1-1 with a 7.29 ERA in eight starts. The right-hander was put on the disabled list May 19 after straining his lower back.

Beckett, who helped the 2003 Florida Marlins and 2007 Red Sox to World Series titles, is 4-1 with a 3.15 ERA in five starts against Seattle. He is 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA in his last two starts at Safeco Field.

In his last start on May 18, Beckett allowed five runs – three earned – in 4 2/3 innings as the Red Sox beat the New York Yankees 7-6.

It was obvious Beckett was struggling mightily, posting a 9.67 ERA in five starts before the injury. Still, he is an option the Red Sox are thrilled to get back as they try to stay in the American League wild-card race and await the return of a laundry list of players recovering from injuries.

With Beckett back, the Red Sox sent 43-year-old knuckleballer Tim Wakefield to the bullpen.

Vargas (6-4, 2.97) has been the victim of some tough luck and poor run support - as are most of the Seattle starters.

The Mariners have scored two runs or fewer in five of his last six starts. He has back-to-back no-decisions despite an excellent 1.23 ERA. On Sunday, he allowed one run on four hits in 7 2/3 innings and had a career-high nine strikeouts against the Los Angeles Angels in a game that Seattle came back to win 2-1 in 10 innings.

Seattle could have left fielder Michael Saunders back in the lineup tonight. Saunders has been out since July 16 with a jammed finger. Catcher Rob Johnson, who has had stiffness in his hip since Monday, also could return to the lineup.

In a minor move Thursday, the Mariners traded infielder Jack Hannahan, who had spent the season at Triple-A Tacoma, to the Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named or cash.