Pitching in front of family and friends in Seattle for only the second time in his big league career, Gibsons Ryan Dempster was hoping for a solid outing last Thursday.
It didn't happen.
Dempster allowed seven runs over just3-1/3 frames, but was bailed out by his hitters and bullpen as the Boston Red Sox pulled out a come-from-behind 8-7 win over the Mariners in 10 innings. The Red Sox took three of four from the Ms.
Entering the game, Dempster had posted a 3.33 ERA in his previous eight starts, lasting at least six innings in all but one of them. Thursday's outing was Dempster's shortest since May 23.
The right-hander suffered his third straight no decision and is still stuck with a 5-8 record.
He was in line for the win on July 6 in Anaheim against the Angels where Boston started its road trip, pitching into the seventh inning, but the bullpen blew the game as the Angels scored four in the ninth and two in the 11th, rallying for a 9-7 win.
On June 30, he pitched into the sixth against Toronto, but again didn't pick up the win as the Blue Jays tied the game, only to see the Red Sox win 5-4 scoring in the bottom of the ninth.
Dempster will pitch again next week as Major League Baseball resumes play this Friday, July 19, after the all-star break.
