SEATTLE -- First Impressions from the Boston Red Sox' 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners:
* The margin of victory is sometimes razor thin.
Seemingly intent on making sure that every game -- win or lose – will be decided by a run or two, the Red Sox pulled out a tense 3-2 victory.
The winning run scored on a ground ball up the middle from Brock Holt that ticked off shortstop Shawn O'Malley's glove. O'Malley went sprawling for the ball, only to have it clip his glove and continue into center field.
It's doubtful that O'Malley would have had time to get Holt at first, but had he kept the ball in the infield, he certainly would have prevented Travis Shaw from rounding third and scoring.
The Mariners then at least would have kept the double play in order, and who knows after that.
But the top of the 11th was a reminder of how much a break -- or some luck -- can mean.
Boston Red Sox
* The Red Sox' habit of stranding runners is becoming epidemic.
Every game -- or so it would seem -- it's the same old story: the Red Sox bang out lots of hits, work plenty of walks and yet, can't deliver when they have baserunners in scoring position.
Entering Wednesday, the Sox were 6-for-41 with RISP on this road trip. On Thursday, they were just 2-for-9.
That's one of the reasons the Red Sox were so interested in Carlos Beltran at the deadline: his reputation as someone who can produce the big hit in the big spot.
* Drew Pomeranz won't help the Red Sox unless he improves his control.
Pomeranz walked six hitters -- one intentional -- in six innings Thursday night. That may be a bit of an aberration, but there's no arguing the fact that the Pomeranz has difficulties throwing strikes at times.
His 3.8 walks per nine innings with the Red Sox before Thursday night was ominous enough, since it represented a slight increase over what he had averaged while with the Padres this season.
His stuff is good enough to get hitters out, as his .201 batting average against suggests.
But when you're adding three or so hitters on base night based on walks alone, you're asking for trouble -- especially in the A.L., home to smaller ballparks, deeper lineups and DHs instead of pitchers.