The Mariners’ Yuniesky Betancourt eludes the tag of Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek and is safe at home in the fourth inning last night.

The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach

BOSTON — The Red Sox’ testosterone level was a little bit lower last night at Fenway Park.

Thursday’s series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays had drama galore and featured a bench-clearing brawl, an intramural battle between Boston teammates Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis, and an injury to rookie outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury who was hurt while making a diving catch.

It was baseball at its best — and worst. Fans definitely got their money’s worth.

Last night’s contest, in contrast, was just a flat game for Boston.

The Red Sox saw their 13-game home-winning streak come to an end as the Seattle Mariners pummeled Boston into submission with an 8-0 victory. It was the most lopsided win for the Mariners at Fenway Park since 1979.

There were a lot of distractions surrounding the Red Sox the last couple of days. It didn’t end with the melee on Thursday because the club was a little off its daily routine yesterday. During batting practice, manager Terry Francona, pitching coach John Farrell, pitcher Jon Lester, center fielder Coco Crisp and first baseman Sean Casey were taken off the field and informed of their suspensions.

In fact, Francona, Farrell and assistant general manager Jed Hoyer participated in a conference call with the league office, concerning the suspensions.

Francona always talks about his club’s ability to stay in the moment and play to win every game it plays.

Last night, the Red Sox were a little off.

“We were flat tonight,” said the manager. “I think some of that is making right turns, them scoring a bunch of runs and us not having a lot of success at the plate. We played a flat game. I don’t know if it was because of (Thursday night), but some of it has to do with the other guy (Seattle starter Felix Hernandez) on the mound.

“It did seem like a busy day, though,” he added. “A lot of things happened before the game. We, myself included, need to deal with it better when the game starts. That’s what we come for and why we play, regardless of what happens during the day.”

What happened last night didn’t help, either.

Red Sox starter Bartolo Colon entered his fourth start with a 3-0 record and a 3.50 ERA. But, for the first time since the Red Sox signed the veteran right-hander at the start of spring training, Colon struggled.

He allowed six runs (three earned) on eight hits with one walk and two strikeouts. He worked only five innings and threw 79 pitches (56 strikes). Plus, he committed two errors, one on a throw to second base in the first inning that proved especially costly.

“It was a big momentum shifter in the first inning,” explained Francona. “He gets the ground ball and all of a sudden the ball ends up in center field. Instead of getting out of the inning, we’re down a couple. It wasn’t the cleanest game we’ve played in a while.”

On the other side, Hernandez was outstanding. He worked six scoreless innings and allowed only six hits with three walks and five strikeouts to lead Seattle to victory. The right-hander improved to 4-5 and has now thrown 15 consecutive scoreless innings at Fenway Park.

“We dug ourselves a hole against the wrong guy,” said Francona. “He’s got great stuff and he threw some really good off-speed pitches. The fastball is obvious and he kept us off balance with the off-speed. He’s really not the guy you want to dig yourself a hole against.”

The Mariners scored two in the first inning, one in the third, two in the fourth, one in the fifth and two in the seventh to roll to victory.

Meanwhile, Hernandez and his bullpen was solid.

“We didn’t do enough tonight to win the game,” Francona said. Mariners

8

Red Sox

0

Next Game

Today

vs. Seattle,

3:55 p.m.

mcdonal@projo.com