SEATTLE (AP) – Finally, two months into a dreadful season, the Mariners’ ace showed up.

Erik Bedard looked like the man for whom Seattle traded five players to Baltimore in February by allowing just two hits in seven innings, and Yuniesky Betancourt’s home run was all the Mariners needed to beat the Boston Red Sox 1-0 on Wednesday night.

Reliever Brandon Morrow stranded Julio Lugo at second by striking out Dustin Pedroia on a 98 mph fastball to end the eighth.

In the ninth, walks by J.J. Putz to Manny Ramirez and Sean Casey put the tying run at second with two outs. But Putz got Coco Crisp to ground out for his sixth save in nine chances, completing the first shutout of the season for Seattle.

Charity offers dinner with Matsuzaka

BOSTON – Dinner with Dice-K can be yours – sushi included – if you’re willing to write a big check to his chosen charity.

Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is auctioning off a sushi dinner for five – including him and his wife, Tomoyo – to benefit a children’s charity, Good Sports.

The opening bid for the eBay auction that runs through June 7 was $1,000.

The auction includes dinner in a private dining room at the Japanese restaurant Haru in Boston, which is described in the listing as serving “inventive Japanese cuisine.” A translator will be provided.

“Get out your chopsticks for this once in a lifetime opportunity!” the listing said.

Good Sports aims to increase youth participation in sports, fitness and recreational programs by providing athletic equipment and apparel to those who can’t afford it.

Matsuzaka is 8-0 with a 2.53 ERA this season after leaving his last start Tuesday night with what the team said was a tired shoulder.

AP-ES-05-28-08 2050EDT