Wakefield Solid as Red Sox Keep Rolling

                                                                                              Sports Illustrated

 

 

 

Red Sox 6 Tigers 3
Winning Pitcher: Tim Wakefield (2-1)
Losing Pitcher: Rick Porcello (4-3)




Recap
Tim Wakefield delivered another very solid spot start for the Red Sox on Friday night, and team kept rolling, defeating the Tigers 6-3. The Red Sox got on the board early, mainly due to the dynamic skills of Jacoby Ellsbury. After reaching on a base hit, he stole second, moved over to third on a ground out from Adrian Gonzalez, then was able to score on a wild pitch from Tigers' starter Rick Porcello. In the bottom of the inning, the Tigers were able to come right back with an RBI single from Miguel Cabrera. The Tigers were able to take the lead in the bottom of the second, when Jhonny Peralta belted a home run over the deep center field fence in Detroit. Wakefield was able to settle down after that, and the Red Sox entered the third facing a 2-1 deficit. That was quickly erased, however, when Jacoby Ellsbury led off the inning with a homer of his own. The inning kept rolling, and Kevin Youkilis came through with a 2-RBI double to give the Sox a two run lead, and there were still no outs in the inning. Two batters later, the surging Carl Crawford put one in the seats, and the Red Sox finished their half of the inning with a 6-2 lead. Tim Wakefield and Charlie Furbush, who entered the game for Detroit in the third, then participated in a mini-pitchers' duel for the majority of the rest of the game. Wakefield ended up pitching seven innings, allowing just the two early runs, on five hits and two walks, while striking out two. Daniel Bard came through with a 1-2-3 8th, and Papelbon came in to finish it off int he 9th. He didn't have his best stuff, giving up two quick hits which resulted in a run, but beared down and finished it off for the red-hot Sox.


Home Runs
Boston: Jacoby Ellsbury (6), Carl Crawford (4)
Detroit: Jhonny Peralta (8)


News and Notes

• Jacoby Ellsbury is one of only two Red Sox players to play in every game thus far in 2011. (The other is Adrian Gonzalez). Durability has been a big question for Ellsbury his entire career, especially after his injury-riddled 2010. This is a big statement, but one that won't resonate unless it lasts until September. His power numbers have also been impressive. With his sixth homer tonight, he is on pace for 24 this season. His current career high: nine.

 The Red Sox and Tigers continue their weekend series tomorrow night at 7:10 PM ET. Boston sends Clay Buchholz (4-3 3.30) to the hill against Detroit's Andrew Oliver (0-4 7.36).