Sexson Gets the Last Word for Mariners

SEATTLE — After giving up a tying homer to Boston’s Jason Varitek in the top of the ninth inning, J.J. Putz landed his counter-punch.

Three of them, actually. Directly into the gut of Seattle teammate Richie Sexson.

Sexson was glad to take his buddies’ blows Sunday. They came during a home plate celebration after his game-winning home run off Mike Timlin that aptly finished the Mariners’ wild, 9-8 victory over the Red Sox.

He was just getting over Varitek’s jolting home run -- the second Putz has allowed this season -- and his fourth blown save in 23 chances. Then Sexson supplied his own stunner leading off the bottom of the ninth.

“The coolest thing in baseball is the walk-off home run. The whole team comes out. You get to punch the guy in the stomach,” Putz said. “Yeah, I got in two or three good ones.”

Sexson’s shot off Timlin (5-1) came after Varitek drove Putz’s slider off a second-deck restaurant window. Putz (2-0) had just struck out David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.

Adrian Beltre hit the first inside-the-park homer at Safeco Field off Timlin in the eighth.