SEATTLE — The Red Sox finished one of the worst road trips in franchise history with a 2-1 loss against the Mariners Wednesday night.
The Sox were 1-8 against the Angels, Athletics, and Mariners, getting outscored, 63-21. It was the team’s first 1-8 West Coast trip since 1989.
“It’s time to go home,” said Aaron Cook, who took the loss despite giving up two runs over six innings. “Bad, bad trip.”
Kevin Millwood (5-12) and five relievers held the Sox to five hits, four of them singles. Cody Ross had three of the hits and drove in the only run. Tom Wilhelmsen picked up his 24th save.
Advertisement
The Sox were 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position Wednesday and 9 of 60 on the trip. Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 3 with a walk as his hit streak was snapped at 15 games.
“We’re on the bases trying to create stuff there. I just think our pitch selection right now has to get a little better and I believe it will,” embattled manager Bobby Valentine said. “They’re taking strikes early and swinging at balls. They’re not getting that right pitch to hit.”
The 63-75 Sox have 24 games left. They are off Thursday before starting a six-game homestand against the Blue Jays and Yankees.
Cook threw a two-hit shutout against Seattle at Safeco Field June 29. He blanked the Mariners for three more innings Wednesday, leaving five runners on base.
The string snapped in the fourth inning as Seattle scored two runs.
Eric Thames singled, Mike Carp walked, and Casper Wells singled to load the bases. Cook got Brendan Ryan to pop to second but Dustin Ackley grounded a two-run single into center.
Millwood had a three-hit shutout going into the sixth inning before the Sox finally scored.
Advertisement
Pedroia walked. Jacoby Ellsbury grounded one to first base and Pedroia was forced. Ellsbury t stole second and scored on a double by Ross.
But with Ross at second, James Loney flied to center and Jarrod Saltalamacchia struck out.
Cook (3-9) was done after six innings. He allowed two runs on seven hits. His three walks matched a season high and his five strikeouts were a season high.
Millwood also went six innings, giving up one run on four hits.
“Not a very good road trip, obviously,” Valentine said. “One of the worst I’ve ever experienced.”
Help on horizon
The Sox have been adding to their major league roster since Sept. 1 and had 30 players in uniform for Wednesday night’s game against the Mariners.
Triple A Pawtucket started its playoffs Wednesday, beating Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, 7-4, in Game 1 of the best-of-five series. Once the PawSox season is finished, Valentine hopes to get “one or two” more players.
Outfielder Che-Hsuan Lin is a candidate, along with righthanded reliever Scott Atchison, who is on an injury rehabilitation assignment.
Righthanded reliever Pedro Beato also is with Pawtucket, as is righthanded starter Zach Stewart and infielder Danny Valencia. All three are on the 40-man roster and have major league experience.
“[GM] Ben [Cherington] is looking around to see who we might add to the roster,” Valentine said. “As we look at the outfield situation, it’s probably been stressed a little. It probably would be OK to have another outfielder.”
Lin has been called up several times this season and played in seven games, going 1 for 6.
Advertisement
Righthander Stolmy Pimentel and lefthander Drake Britton are on the 40-man roster as well. But they finished the season with Double A Portland and are unlikely to make their major league debuts this season.
Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com.