Wakefield Strong as Sox Take 2 of 3 from Cubs

 

                                                                                            Sports Illustrated

Red Sox 5 Cubs 1

Winning Pitcher: Tim Wakefield (1-1)

Losing Pitcher: James Russell (1-5)

Recap

Both teams had spot starters on the hill with their original pitchers' sporting ailing elbows, and Tim Wakefield outperformed James Russell to give the Red Sox their 8th win in 9 games. The game started with a blistering pace, with the two teams combining for just four baserunners in the first three and a half innings. The Red Sox were finally able to get some offense in fourth when Jed Lowrie walked up to the plate with the bases loaded and nobody out. He hit a sac fly to center, which was followed by  another sac fly from Mike Cameron, and the Sox had an early 2-0 lead, with Wakefield looking great on the mound. He came back in the top of the fifth allowing just Jeff Baker to reach base, and he struck out on a pitch that got by Varitek. The very first batter for Boston in the bottom of the inning, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, put one in the Monster Seats, and the Sox had a 3-0 lead. This topped off a great week for Salty, who has hit three home runs and a game winning double. Wake continued to pitch solidly into the 7th, when he allowed a couple of doubles to allow his first run of the game. He was pulled after 6 and 2/3 to a roaring ovation, after allowing just one run on four hits and three strike outs, without walking a single batter. The Sox came right back in the bottom of the inning with a two-run triple from Kevin Youkilis, and that four run lead was plenty. Jonathan Papelbon came on in the 9th to finish off the game, and Tim Wakefield walked out of the park today with 194 career wins. 

Home Runs

Boston: Saltalamacchia (3)

Chicago: None

The Red Sox (25-21) travel to take on the surprising Indians (29-15) tomorrow night at 7:05 PM ET. Boston sends Clay Buchholz (4-3 3.42) to the mound against old friend Justin Masterson (5-2 2.52).