Ellsbury

SEATTLE — In their first three games since the start of the second half, the Red Sox averaged fewer than three runs per game, but as they opened a three-game set here with the Mariners, the Sox continued to have Jacoby Ellsbury at the top of their batting order.

This despite the fact that Ellsbury recently snapped an 0-for-12 skid, and over the last 15 games was hitting only .239 (16-for-67). Worse, over the last 28 games, covering more than a month, the rookie outfielder was hitting .212 (25-for-118), dropping his average from .289 to .262.

Still, the Sox have faith in him.

“He’s handled himself pretty good, going through the normal (rookie) growing pains,” said manager Terry Francona. “When you’re in Boston, (the expectations are that) you’re not supposed to (struggle). But that’s not real.

“We have enough faith in him to let him work through it.”

Francona has dismissed suggestions that the Sox return to the batting order they used to open the season — with Dustin Pedroia hitting leadoff and Kevin Youkilis batting second.

For his part, Ellsbury appreciates the confidence and insists he hasn’t gotten discouraged in the last month.

“I’ve always known that this is not an easy sport,” he said. “Everyone goes through (tough times) at some point in the season, no matter who you are. I know I can hit (in the big leagues).”

Ellsbury has noticed pitchers taking a different approach with him, throwing more breaking pitches early in the count before resorting to fastballs later. But for Ellsbury, it’s part of a cat-and-mouse game.

“They’re always going to make adjustments,” he said. “So you have to make them, too.”

Extra bases

The Sox on Sunday became the first team to attract two million fans on the road this season.

The Mets are second.

The Sox are averaging 38,519 on the road.

smcadam@projo.com