Ronny Cedeno entered this three-game series against the Red Sox with a .130 batting average that was, by far, the worst in the majors. But he’s gone 4-for-11 in this series, including a huge two-run homer on Friday and a three-run triple down the right-field line against Jon Lester and the Sox today that just put the Mariners ahead, 3-2, heading into the bottom of the fourth. With the bases loaded and two outs, Cedeno sliced a pop-up down the right-field line, a bit short of the Pesky Pole. Right-fielder J.D. Drew’s sliding attempt failed, and the ball hit the warning track and bounded down the low fence, Drew scrambling to prevent an inside-the-park grand slam.

Cedeno’s triple would not have happened but for a rare error by second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who undid the good deed of his first-inning homer. With one out and two on, M’s catcher Kenji Johjima grounded to third. Kevin Youkilis’ relay to second was slightly wide of the bag, but though Pedroia had to reach to his right to backhand the throw, it was catchable. Pedroia, however, failed to corral it, and so rather than being the second out of the inning, the Mariners had three runners on and one out. Lester nearly escaped, striking out Chris Woodward, but Cedeno’s hit-’em-where-they-ain’t triple left the Sox facing a one-run hole.

So, Lester is trailing, despite not having given up a run (all three fourth-inning runs were unearned due to the Pedroia error) and despite the fact that his stuff is electric. Despite a mid- to high-90s fastball, and a cutter and curve that have both been swing-and-miss offerings, he has given up seven hits through his first four innings.

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