Rays/MLB

Wakefield solid in clutch

By Times Staff
Published April 10, 2006

BALTIMORE - Tim Wakefield pitched six perilous innings without allowing an earned run, leading Boston to a three-game sweep.

Adam Stern drove in two runs for the Red Sox, whose 5-1 start is their best since 1999. Boston outscored Baltimore 20-10 in the series and has won eight straight against the Orioles dating to September.

Wakefield retired the side in order only once. The knuckleballer twice worked out of bases-loaded jams, and stranded 10 runners before leaving with a 4-1 lead.

The right-hander allowed five hits, walked two and hit two batters. But he lowered his ERA from 17.18 to 6.52.

NOTABLE: Baltimore went 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position, 2-for-10 against Wakefield.

QUOTABLE: "You just try to minimize the damage and you get your concentration down to one hitter at a time, in and out. I was fortunate enough to get three strikeouts there and get us out of the inning." - Wakefield

[Last modified April 10, 2006, 01:57:35]