Wake Comes Up Big Again

Tim Wakefield pitched an absolute gem of a game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Monday night, in leading the Red Sox to a 3-0 win.

Wake pitched six no-hit innings before Carl Crawford hit a clean single to right. A no-hitter would have been the icing on the cake, as this was a game the Red Sox needed, after such a horrible weekend in Baltimore. He pitched eight innings, struck out six and allowed two hits for his 14th win.

Make no mistake, the Red Sox needed to get this seven game homestand off to a good start. Once again, they didn't hit much, especially with runners in scoring position, but Wake was so good that a ton of runs wasn't necessary. The offense needs to step it up a notch. The starting pitching continues to be the Red Sox strongest suit. They got their MLB leading 58th win last night.

Wakefield continues to be a warrior, and he once again continued his streak of not getting a no-decision. He also got his 17th career win against Tampa Bay last night. (My thanks to my friend Adam from Maine who sent me this very cool photo of Wake alone at Fenway yesterday.)

Jon Lester makes his first Fenway Park start of 2007 tonight. It should be an emotional return for him, as it will be his first game there since the lymphoma diagnosis nearly one year ago.