BOSTON(AP) -- Seattle closer David Aardsma is a lot like the rest
of the Mariners. He wasn't expected to do a lot this season.

Chris Woodward's bases-loaded pop up in the ninth inning dropped
behind a partially draw-in infield to score the go-ahead run,
lifting Seattle to a 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox on
Saturday.

"We wouldn't be in this situation without him," Seattle manager
Don Wakamatsu said of his newfound closer. "But it's a credit to
him. He's worked so hard. He started in spring training, bounced
around from team to team a little bit and just came up on a
mission this year. He's found a home here."

Aardsma's not one of the bigger-named closers in the AL, but he
pitched a perfect ninth Sunday to improve to 17-for-18 in save
situations.

"This year I've been throwing a lot of strikes," said Aardsma,
who struggled with the Red Sox last season, going 4-2 with a
5.55 ERA before missing significant time with a strained groin.
"Last year if I threw ball one it would have been like, 'Oh,
here I go again.' This year it's not a big deal."

Just like their game-winning rally, the Mariners are quietly
creeping up in the AL West.

The rally started when Takashi Saito (2-2) walked the bases full
with one out.

Jason Varitek hit a two-run homer for Boston, which also lost
Friday's series opener. The Red Sox had won their previous seven
series overall. It was just their third series loss in their
last 12 in Fenway Park.

Russell Branyan drove in the other two runs for the Mariners.

Woodward's pop fell behind first baseman Mark Kotsay and second
baseman Dustin Pedroia's diving bid, scoring pinch runner
Wladimir Balentien from third easily.

"It was a long inning for him," Boston manager Terry Francona
said. "Because of lack of command you get in a situation where
you have runners all over the bases and you have to play the
infield somewhat in."

"I'm not usually the kind of pitcher to give up a lot of walks
to begin with. I can't remember another incident like today,"
Saito said through a translator.

Roy Corcoran (2-0) worked 1 2-3 innings of hitless relief.

"We keep talking about guys stepping up," Wakamatsu said.
"Corcoran was the story of the day. Here's a guy who hadn't
pitched in seven days."

Varitek homered over the Green Monster after Rocco Baldelli
walked to give Boston a 2-0 lead in the second.

Seattle scored runs in the third and fifth to tie it at 2.

Branyan doubled into the left-field corner to score Ichiro
Suzuki, who singled leading off the third.

Woodward opened the fifth with a single, advanced to second on
Ronny Cedeno's bunt single, moved up on Suzuki's line to right
and scored on Branyan's sacrifice fly.

Jacoby Ellsbury stole his 35th base, becoming the first Red Sox
player to reach that mark in consecutive years since Tris
Speaker from 1912-14. He also became the first AL player to do
it in consecutive years before the All-Star break since
soon-to-be 2009 Hall of Fame inductee Rickey Henderson did it in
1988-90.

Boston starter Brad Penny gave up two runs, six hits, struck out
six and walked one in six innings. He's winless in six of his
last seven outings.

"You look at the last two games, the two guys pitched pretty
well, sometimes you lose. It happens," Penny said.

Boston lost 7-6 in 11 innings on Friday night.

Seattle's Garrett Olson allowed two runs on fours hits, striking
out five and walking four in 6 1-3 innings.

Olson escaped a first-and-third no out jam in the sixth when he
caught off third Baldelli on Ellsbury's grounder back to the
mound. Jeff Bailey then bounced into a double play.

NOTES: Francona rested DH David Ortiz and inserted Baldelli into
his spot with the left-handed Olson starting. Ortiz pinch hit
and lined out. ... LHP Erik Bedard, on the 15-day DL since June
8 with shoulder inflammation, is set to start Tuesday against
Baltimore. Bedard threw 54 pitches in a simulated game Friday.
"I just had a little thing in my back," Aardsma said afterward.
... Red Sox C Varitek wore a red-white-and-blue chest protector
that he will auction for charity.