First-time All-Star Tim Wakefield earned his AL-leading 11th victory, and David Ortiz homered and drove in four runs to lead the Boston Red Sox over the Oakland Athletics 5-4 Wednesday night.
Wakefield left to a standing ovation in the seventh inning in his final scheduled start before the break. The 42-year-old knuckleballer is 9-0 in his past 11 starts at Fenway Park.
J.D. Drew led off the Boston sixth with a home run that made it 1-all. Ortiz connected for a three-run shot later in the inning.
Wakefield gave up one earned run despite allowing 10 hits. He struck out eight and walked one.
Jonathan Papelbon gave up a run in the ninth, but got his 22nd save. Jack Cust had three hits, including an RBI single, but struck out with two runners on to end the game.
Wakefield exited with two runners on and no outs in the seventh. Reliever Manny Delcarmen nearly escaped without allowing a run, but a strange play kept the inning going.
Boston shortstop Nick Green stepped wide of second base as he caught first baseman Mark Kotsay's throw trying to double up Bobby Crosby on a shallow fly.
Kurt Suzuki, who had three hits, then singled in two runs.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement
Advertisement