Kimbrel impresses in quick return from knee surgery

SEATTLE - Boston Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel was supposed to get a ''soft'' outing in his return from left knee surgery, according to manager John Farrell. It didn't work out that way.

Mookie Betts homered to lead off the ninth inning, Kimbrel got his 18th save in his return from the disabled list and the Red Sox beat the Seattle Mariners 2-1 on Monday night.

Kimbrel made his first appearance since having surgery to repair a medial meniscus tear in his left knee. He allowed a walk, and Kyle Seager reached on a third-strike wild pitch, but Kimbrel got two other strikeouts to end it.

''As much as we talked before the game about Kimbrel and giving him a little breathing room, that one-run margin wasn't a heck of a lot,'' Farrell said. ''He was very good. It looked like he hadn't missed any time.''

''That's my job,'' Kimbrel said. ''I like save situations. It worked out nice.''

The All-Star was 0-1 with a 1.45 ERA and 17 saves before his surgery July 11, with opponents hitting just .143 in his 19 save chances this season.

Kimbrel made his only rehab assignment for Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday. He threw 17 pitches over one inning, allowing one hit and hitting a batter.