Tim Wakefield outdueled fellow forty-something Randy Johnson, and his personal catcher, Kevin Cash, provided a big boost at the plate as the Sox blanked the D-Backs 5-0.
The win allowed the Sox to finish the brief homestand 3-3, close the first half of the season at 49-32 and remain 1 game ahead of the Rays and 5 1/2 ahead of the Yankees.
Wake was outstanding again, allowing just 2 hits and 1 walk in 7 innings. He's pitched at least 7 innings in six straight starts.
BOX SCORE: Red Sox 5, Diamondbacks 0
Boston was able to scratch out 2 runs against the Big Unit thanks to some good hitting by Brandon Moss. Even though Moss didn't get a hit, he was able to drive in both runs from third with less than 2 outs against the tough lefty.
The Sox led 2-0 going into the 8th when Cash smashed a 3-run bomb off reliever Juan Cruz to give the Sox some breathing room.
They needed it too as Craig Hansen got into a jam in the 9th and Jonathan Papelbon had to come in to get the final out with the bases loaded.
Coco Crisp had three doubles, Dustin Pedroia continued his hot streak with three hits, and Mike Lowell had 2 hits and three runs scored.
Manny Delcarmen looked great again pitching a perfect 8th.
The Sox start a crucial 10-game road trip Friday with their final Interleague series against Houston before two huge series at Tampa and at the Yankees. This could set the tone for the second half of the season.
1 comments:
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