April 26th @ Cleveland

[redoctober]

Wakefield seeking offensive support

Boston (13-7) at Cleveland (10-9), 7:05 p.m. ET

By Ian Browne / MLB.com

 

After needing every ounce of grit to pull out a victory in the opening game of this series, the Red Sox are hoping for the same end result, but perhaps less stress, when they take on the Guardians on Wednesday night at Jacobs Field.

Veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who has pitched well in his last two starts only to be on the losing end, will look for a better outcome this time around. The Guardians counter with left-hander Cliff Lee.

 

The Red Sox have bounced back to win two in a row after losing the first two games of this nine-game road trip.

 

The bullpen continues to pay huge dividends. Jonathan Papelbon leads the Major Leagues with nine saves, and he's getting strong setup work from Keith Foulke and Mike Timlin.

 

"It's not like we're surprising ourselves," said Foulke. "We're just finally going out there and doing what we're supposed to be doing. I think it's only going to get better, really."

 

That's good news for the starting pitchers.

 

"I love our bullpen," said Red Sox ace Curt Schilling. "I love the thought that we can bring a guy who's got a couple hundred saves in to shut the door in the sixth and seventh inning. We've got power arms."

 

Pitching matchup

BOS: RHP Tim Wakefield (1-3, 3.71 ERA)

Wakefield is hoping Red Sox bats come alive for him after suffering consecutive tough-luck outings. In his last start, a 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay last Thursday, the knuckleballer gave up just three runs (two earned) over eight innings, allowing just four hits in the process. But for the third time this season, he left the game with his team posting fewer than two runs. Wakefield has a 1.56 ERA in his last three starts since allowing seven runs and seven hits in his first start April 4 at Texas.

 

CLE: LHP Cliff Lee (1-1, 2.89 ERA)

Lee is coming off a disappointing outing against the Royals in which he received a no-decision. Though he was able to pitch out of a couple jams in the early innings, Lee ran into trouble he couldn't get out of in the sixth, giving up three runs on three hits and losing hold of a 3-0 lead. In the end, he was touched for nine hits in 5 2/3 innings.

 

Player to watch

Mike Lowell has 10 hits in his last 25 at-bats.

 

On the Internet

MLB.TV

Gameday Audio

• Gameday

• Official game notes

 

On television

• NESN

 

On radio

• WEEI 850 AM, WROL 950 AM (Espa?ol)

 

Up next

• Thursday: Red Sox (RHP Josh Beckett, 3-0, 2.54 ERA) at Guardians (Paul Byrd, 2-2, 9.15 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET

• Friday: Red Sox (RHP Matt Clement, 2-1, 6.17 ERA) at Devil Rays (LHP Casey Fossum, 0-1, 7.77 ERA), 7:15 p.m. ET

• Saturday: Red Sox (LHP Lenny DiNardo, 0-1, 7.43 ERA) at Devil Rays (RHP Doug Waechter, 0-1, 6.28 ERA), 7:15 p.m. ET

[riverside sluggers]

Cliff Lee (4 games vs. Boston, 1-1 record with a 3.91 ERA---Career at Jacobs Field in 37 games, 17-10 record with a 4.06 ERA)

Kevin Youkilis, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) Double, RBI

Mark Loretta --

David Ortiz, 3 for 9 (.333 avg) 2 Doubles, K

Manny Ramirez, 2 for 7 (.286 avg) 2 Doubles, 3 RBIs, 4 Walks, 3 Ks

Mike Lowell, 0 for 3

Wily Mo Pena, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) HR, 4 RBIs

Dustan Mohr, 0 for 3, 2 Ks

Josh Bard --

Alex Gonzalez. 2 for 3 (.667 avg) HR, RBI, K

///

Trot Nixon, 0 for 3, 2 Ks

Jason Varitek, 2 for 9 (.222 avg) Double, 5 Ks

 

Tim Wakefield (22 games vs. Cleveland, 9-7 record with a 4.49 ERA---Career at Jacobs Field in 10 games, 5-3 record with a 4.63 ERA)

Grady Sizemore --

Jason Michaels, 0 for 1, Walk

Jhonny Peralta, 0 for 3

Travis Hafner, 0 for 4, RBI, Walk, K

Victor Martinez, 2 for 3 (.667 avg) Double, HR, RBI, K

Eduardo Perez, 0 for 4, Walk

Ronnie Belliard, 0 for 3, 2 Ks

Aaron Boone, 1 for 8 (.125 avg) RBI, Walk, K

Casey Blake, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) HR, RBI, Walk, K

///

Ben Broussard, 0 for 2, Walk, K, SB

Todd Hollandsworth, 1 for 2 (.500 avg)

 

Due to the lack of offense from Sox center fielders, look for Wily Mo to get some starts in that position.

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Theo about last night's pitch count for Schilling: I do have great confidence in Tito's managing, but the 133 pitch count was out of line to say the least

[redoctober]

Due to the lack of offense from Sox center fielders, look for Wily Mo to get some starts in that position.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Theo about last night's pitch count for Schilling: I do have great confidence in Tito's managing, but the 133 pitch count was out of line to say the least

 

 

Good quote from Theo, and I want to see Wily Mo go deep tonight.

[YazYaz04]

Maybe big blasts from willy mo and big papi can push wakefield over and we can ride on the momentum from last nights victory.

[MANNYHOF24]

I thought Schilling pitching in the 7th last night was unaccpetable. Its april we cant afford to burn schilling out this early. Regarding tonights ballgame, score runs early and give Wake some well deserved run support, 1-3 with a 3.71 Era hmm.....

[jsinger121]

Here's the lineup for tonight's Sox-Guardians game at Jacobs Field:

 

Red Sox

1. Kevin Youkilis, 1B

2. Mark Loretta, 2B

3. David Ortiz, DH

4. Manny Ramirez, LF

5. Mike Lowell 3B

6. Wily Mo Pena RF

7. Dustin Mohr, CF

8. Josh Bard, C

9. Alex Gonzalez, SS

Tim Wakefield, P

 

Guardians

1. Grady Sizemore, CF

2. Jason Michaels, LF

3. Jhonny Peralta, SS

4. Travis Hafner, DH

5. Victor Martinez, C

6. Eduardo Perez, 1B

7. Ronnie Belliard, 2B

8. Aaron Boone, 3B

9. Casey Blake, RF

Cliff Lee, P

[jsinger121]

Peralta goes yard 3-0 Tribe....sox likely won't score many runs with the lineup they have tonight.

[YanksHater213]

Haha, wow thats a quick start. 3 batters 3 runs.

[YanksHater213]

Haha, is anyone even watching this game?

 

Lee is motoring through this lineup. Hopefully we will look just a bit better next time through.

[DrewDaGreat]

2 on, 1 out, Yooooooouk up

[jsinger121]

Lee should not be walking the number 9 hitter who has been practically an automatic out this year

[YanksHater213]

Loretta needs a big hit here...

[YanksHater213]

Yankees down a deuce already.

[DrewDaGreat]

Loaded for Papi!

[YanksHater213]

Hahahaha, why wouldnt he have gone right at Loretta, especially with 2 outs and Papi on deck.

[YanksHater213]

Wake has settled down a bit. Last 2 innings hes looked good.

[DrewDaGreat]

Willy Mo!

[a700hitter]

Terry said that Wily Mo might get some time in CF this week. That could be scary, but he is such a huge upgrade offensively over Harris that it would be worht it. Besides, Harris isn't exactly Paul Blair out there.

[YanksHater213]

YEEEAH Willy Mo. Keep that s*** up son.

[a700hitter]

I really hate watching Wakefield pitch with that damn knuckler. I never feel confident when he is out there. Add the passed balls and the easy steals. It's just a torture.

[TheRivernator]

there's another PB. Bard is horrible behind the plate, that was awful and great all in one....

[Youk Of The Nation]

The lone cheer in all of this is that Boone struck out twice.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I am so sick of Josh Bard....every damn game he catches wake...there is a passed ball that they score on.....

 

That run was completely his fault AGAIN. Because of Bard the runner moved over and then allowed him to score.....this is now a problem cause it happens every game....get a new catcher

[riverside sluggers]

I really hate watching Wakefield pitch with that damn knuckler. I never feel confident when he is out there. Add the passed balls and the easy steals. It's just a torture.

 

yea I mean really what has he done for the Red Sox?

 

Those 131 career wins with the Red Sox, 3rd highest, all have been gift wins.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Someone should chloroform Mirabelli and drag him back to Boston.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Josh Bard better hit a home run here.

[ORS]

Terry said that Wily Mo might get some time in CF this week. That could be scary, but he is such a huge upgrade offensively over Harris that it would be worht it. Besides, Harris isn't exactly Paul Blair out there.

I read something recently that suggested Wily Mo actually plays CF better than the corners because the closer the ball is to the line, the more spin it has on it and that affects his read. I'm not convinced, but it does make sense. I've never seen him in center, but what he brings to the plate will be significantly better than what he gives up in the field compared to Harris.

[TheRivernator]

I read something recently that suggested Wily Mo actually plays CF better than the corners because the closer the ball is to the line, the more spin it has on it and that affects his read. I'm not convinced, but it does make sense. I've never seen him in center, but what he brings to the plate will be significantly better than what he gives up in the field compared to Harris.

 

If you play CF, you get a much truer read on the ball, but the problem is, you need to cover a ton of ground. What you will save in slice you will lose in range....

[a700hitter]

Another DP. Killer

[mtbykr]

I read something recently that suggested Wily Mo actually plays CF better than the corners because the closer the ball is to the line, the more spin it has on it and that affects his read. I'm not convinced, but it does make sense. I've never seen him in center, but what he brings to the plate will be significantly better than what he gives up in the field compared to Harris.

 

I heard that today on WEEI. They said the reason was becuase in center it's eaiser to read the ball off the bat! Who knows but anything but harris right now!