Win #200...Finally! Sox Win 18-6.
What's that expression?
With Boston reeling following a disastrous road trip that saw hard-charging Tampa Bay jump right back into the middle of the Wild Card race, and a win almost mandatory, Red Sox Nation's collective lonely eye turned to Tim Wakefield who had failed in his previous 7 attempts at career win number 200. This time, Wake didn't disappoint.
Though he gave back the lead a couple of times, Wakefield went 6 innings allowing 5 runs on 6 hits and a pair of walks, striking out 6 as the Red Sox crushed the Blue Jays 18-6.
That guy in the picture above sat in the dugout prior to the game and told Heidi Watney in no uncertain terms that everyone needed to just calm down. And then he went out and slammed two home runs to prove his point. MVP candidate Jacoby Ellsbury also homered for Boston, his 27th of the season.
And the cherry on top was provided by the Baltimore Orioles who knocked off the Rays to both end a TB winning streak and give the Red Sox a little more breathing room.
NOTES -
Pedroia's second home run of the game was his 20th of the season; he and Ellsbury become the first two Red Sox players to ever reach the 20/20 mark (home runs/steals) in the same season.
David Ortiz was a last-minute scratch with back spasms in the bottom of the 1st inning. Jed Lowrie assumed DH duties.
The news on Josh Beckett was vastly improved - he is expected to start either Thursday or Friday of this week.
