Lester (8-3) gave up all eight hits in 7 1/3 innings with six strikeouts for the Red Sox, who were coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Angels.

Jason Varitek hit a two-run home run and Jed Lowrie drove in a pair of runs as Boston snapped a five-game losing streak on the road.

Jarrod Washburn (4-9) got the loss as he gave up two runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings of work for the Mariners, who have lost three straight and six of eight overall. Yuniesky Betancourt and Adrian Beltre each had a pair of hits.

Seattle got a one-out double from Betancourt in the third, but were unable to bring him home.

The Red Sox got on the board in the fifth inning as Coco Crisp worked a one- out walk and Varitek followed with a shot over the left field fence for a 2-0 lead.

"I've had good at bats, not necessarily always (positive) results, but I was able to get into a count and put a good swing on the ball," said Varitek about the home run.

Lester, meanwhile, retired the Mariners in order in the fifth and sixth innings.

Seattle threatened in the seventh inning. Raul Ibanez led off with a single and, after a fly out from Beltre, Jose Lopez knocked an infield single. Lester, though, got Miguel Cairo to strike out swinging and Jose Vidro to fly out to end the inning.

Boston gave itself some insurance in the eighth as Lowrie hit a single to left with the bases loaded to bring home Kevin Youkilis and Crisp for a 4-0 lead.

Papelbon took over for Lester with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth and he got Ibanez to hit into a double ply to end the frame.

Papelbon stayed in the game in the ninth and retired the Mariners in order to close out the game and pick up his 29th save of the season.

Game Notes

Lester has won his last five decisions...Boston's Manny Ramirez, who went 3- for-5 in the game, has a 10-game hitting streak...Boston stranded 13 men on base while Seattle stranded six...Attendance was 37,861...Boston has won six of its last nine against Seattle.