Boston Red Sox starter Tim Wakefield and Mariners starter Erik Bedard found themselves engaged in a pitcher’s duel on Wednesday night at Safeco Field. All it took was one mistake by Wakefield as Yuniesky Betancourt’s 3rd inning home run was the difference as the Mariners beat the Red Sox 1-0 in front of 30,752 fans.

The loss for the Red Sox drops them to 1-4 on the current road trip as their offense continues to struggle on the road.

The Red Sox were probably happy to see Bedard dealt out of the AL East during the winter as he had been dominant against them as of late. Bedard has struggled this season in Seattle and hadn’t been the pitcher they traded for, that was until tonight.

They were only able to manage 2 hits in the game off of Bedard, singles by Manny Ramirez and Mike Lowell. They did receive 6 walks from Seattle pitching in the game but were unable to push them across the plate.

Wakefield was able to give the Red Sox bullpen the night off as he went 8 innings in the game allowing the 1 run on 5 hits. He didn’t walk anyone and struck out 8 Mariners in the process.

The visiting nine’s best chance came in the 4th inning off of Bedard. After a David Ortiz ground out, Manny and Lowell had back-to-back singles but Sean Casey grounded into a double play to end the inning.

They had another chance in the 9th when Mariners closer J.J. Putz walked Manny with 1 out. Lowell grounded out for the second out of the inning and then Putz walked Casey. Kevin Youkilis came into pinch-run for Casey but his appearance in the game was a brief one as Coco Crisp grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the game.

After the off day on Thursday, the Red Sox turn to Josh Beckett to try to get the ship going back in the right direction against the surprising Baltimore Orioles.

Notes and musings:

Red Sox @ Mariners 5/28/08 boxscore

Manny drove in 3 runs last night and now has 113 career RBI vs. Seattle, passing Robin Yount (110) and Juan Gonzalez (112) for 8th on the all-time list.

Dice-K is offering a sushi dinner in an EBAY auction to benefit Good Sports.

Dustin Pedroia has played in all 55 of Boston’s games so far this year (53 starts).

Tim Wakefield has never won at Safeco Field. It is the only American League ballpark where he doesn’t have a win.

Jacoby Ellsbury stole his 20th base of the season which puts him in a tie for 5th for steals in a season by a Red Sox rookie.