4/26 - Wakefield Dominates as Rays Fall to Sox

The Red Sox have taken game two of this series in Tampa Bay, and tied the division in a dominant pitching performance by Tim Wakefield. All four Red Sox runs came off solo homers, by two players, Manny Ramirez and Jason Varitek. Varitek started it in the third with a solo shot, then Manny hit one out in the fourth. Varitek homered again in the seventh, then Manny homered again in the seventh. The only Rays run was an RBI single off the bat of Evan Longoria scoring B.J. Upton in the bottom of the ninth. Rays starting pitcher Matt Garza almost pitched a perfect game, but was taken out with one more out needed in the top of the ninth. Garza pitched 8 2/3 innings giving up all four Red Sox homers on seven hits and striking out five. Al Reyes was brought in for the last out of the ninth; He threw one pitch, ground ball to shortstop, and the inning was over. Tim Wakefield did pitch a complete game, coming close to a shutout, but giving up that one run in the bottom of the ninth. With this Rays loss, the division lead is tied once again, and will be settled tomorrow afternoon in game three.

Final Score:

Red Sox: 4

Rays: 1

WP - Tim Wakefield (2-0) | LP - Matt Garza (1-3) | SV -

HR:

Manny Ramirez - Red Sox (8)

Manny Ramirez - Red Sox (9)

Jason Varitek - Red Sox (2)

Jason Varitek - Red Sox (3)