Boston’s starter John Lackey dueled the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez until the Red Sox scored five runs in the seventh inning to open a 7-1 lead.

Ichiro Suzuki staked the Mariners to a 1-0 first inning, however the Red Sox responded with a run by Dustin Pedroia, also in the first inning and Jacoby Ellsbury’s solo home run in the third inning gave Boston a 2-1 lead.

Lackey allowed one run on eight hits while striking out four in seven innings.

Hernandez gave up six runs including four in the seventh, on 11 hits while striking out two and walking four in 6.1 innings.

The Mariners defense turned four double plays in support of Hernandez to keep the came close through the middle innings.

The Mariners narrowed the gap to 7-4 in the eighth inning on a three-run home run by Mike Carp.