Cook dazzles, hurling two-hitter

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SEATTLE -- It took almost three months for Aaron Cook to earn his first major league win this season, his path detoured by a stint in the minors, and later, a freak injury.

But Friday night at Safeco Field, he reminded people why the Red Sox were compelled to put him on their major league roster when he had a May 1 opt-out, and why so many teams were lined up to offer him a spot if the Red Sox didn't.

Cook, using his trademark sinker to great effect, allowed just two hits in a complete game shutout, as the Red Sox broke out for four homers and blanked the Seattle Mariners, 5-0. Fifteen of the 27 outs he recorded came on the ground.

Cook faced exactly one batter over the minimum, retiring the punchless Mariners in order in the first, second, third, fifth and seventh innings, while taking advantage of two double plays to face just three hitters in both the fourth and eighth innings.

The only hits against him were an infield single that Ichiro Suzuki beat out to open the fourth and a line single to right by John Jaso in the eighth.

He didn't walk a batter while striking out two.

The Sox, shutout by Felix Hernandez in the series opener Thursday night, were shut out by Seattle's Hector Noesi through the first four frames, stretching their road scoreless streak to 13 innings, and 17 innings dating back to the final game of the homestand.

But in the fifth, the Sox turned on the power, as Will Middlebrooks and Cody Ross hammered back-to-back solo homers to start the inning.

Two outs later, Daniel Nava joined them, as the Sox became the first team to hit three homers in the same game at spacious Safeco this season.

An inning later, after David Ortiz lashed a double to the gap in right-center, Jarrod Salatalamacchia joined the home run derby, going to the opposite field for a two-run shot.

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