Porcello outshines Hernandez, continues hot streak

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SEATTLE -- All the talk before the game was about Felix Hernandez. But the win went to the "other'' starter.

Rick Porcello outdueled Seattle's Felix Hernandez, allowing just two runs on five hits through 6 2/3 innings, as the Red Sox beat the Seattle Mariners, 4-2.

It was Porcello's third win in his last four starts, during which time he's posted a 2.10 ERA.

"He's been on a solid run the last four or five outings for us,'' said John Farrell. "I thought he had some good power to his fastball.''

Indeed, Porcello looked like a true power pitcher in the early going, fanning six of the first 10 hitters he faced. After that, however, he didn't record another strikeout, focusing on getting weak swings early in the count.

Over his last 3 2/3 innings, Porcello got seven groundouts and three infield popups.

"Once (the Mariners) start swinging,'' Porcello said, "they get pretty aggressive. I left some pitches up in some two-strike counts, but for the most part, we were getting outs on the first couple of pitches.''

Porcello lasted longer and pitched better than Hernandez, who suffered his first defeat of the season.

"You know who's pitching on the other side,'' acknowledged Porcello. "But at the end of the day, you have your game plan going into the game and your assignment is to get their hitters out, not pitching against the other pitcher.''

Porcello's gem was the fourth straight quality start for the rotation that, just over a week ago, seemed to be imploding, resulting in the firing of pitching coach Juan Nieves.

But after dropping the first two games in Toronto at the start of this road trip, the Sox have gotten quality starts in five of the last seven games.

"I think we're throwing the ball the way we should be,'' Porcella said. "That's the bottom line. And we've got to continue to do that. Hopefully, those struggles are behind us and we can continue to provide stability for our offense and get on a roll.''

The only damage done against Porcello was by Seattle shortstop Brad Miller, who hit a curveball out to center with one out in the first, then got him again by swatting a first-pitch changeup into the seats in right in the fifth.

Other than that, the Mariners couldn't put much together against him.

"Outstanding....outstanding,'' gushed David Ortiz, who homered in the third off Hernandez. "Rick did a hell of a job tonight. He's been pitching well. He's going out there with good command and a good idea about what he's going to do. That's all you need.''

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