SEATTLE -- Left-hander Eddie Guardado recorded his 10th save of the season Sunday afternoon at Safeco Field, and you had to be there to appreciate how difficult it was getting three outs without allowing a run.
As manager Mike Hargrove put it, the drama associated with the finish can't be seen in the boxscore.
Guardado entered the series finale against the Red Sox with the Mariners holding a one-run lead and the top of the Boston lineup due to bat. Lurking in the visiting dugout was the middle of a lineup that already was 7-for-12 with two home runs, two doubles and four RBIs.
The Mariners' closer took a deep breath, tackled the situation head-on, and recorded the three outs he needed to secure Seattle's 5-4 victory over the reigning World Series champions before 46,145, the second sellout in the three-game series and third sellout of the season.
"That was fun," Guardado said. "With a team like Boston, you need the energy because they are such a good team and they keep coming at you. It's always fun to win, and always fun to compete against those guys. When I'm huffing and puffing out there, that means I am having a good time."
A good time was had by all of the Mariners as they won a series for the first time this month.