Game Info
Date: Saturday, September 11th, 2005
First Pitch: 1:05 pm ET
TV: NESN/YES
Starting Pitchers:
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/4288.jpghttp://bellsouthpwp.net/c/h/chinigor/TALKSOX/VS.GIFhttp://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/4906.jpg
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/nyy.gif #41 Randy Johnson (13-8, 4.05)
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/bos.gif #49 Tim Wakefield (15-10, 4.29)
Wakefield, Sox out to pad division lead
Boston (83-58) at New York (79-62), 1:05 p.m. ET
After splitting two games with the Yankees, the Red Sox can severely hamper New York's division title hopes with a victory in Sunday's series finale.
The Red Sox send red-hot Tim Wakefield to the mound, where the knuckleballer will attempt to earn his fourth straight victory and eighth in his last nine games.
"This year, I'll tell you what, he's been pretty good," Sox skipper Terry Francona said. "He had a little stretch when he hit a couple of bumps in the road, [but] he's got 15 wins."
Wakefield lost only once in August, allowing the Angels six runs in 4 1/3 innings during a 13-4 loss on Aug. 18. During his recent tear, Wakefield's ERA is 3.92.
The hot streak has already boosted Wakefield's record past his 12-10 mark in 2004, and his ERA is more than a half-run lower. Francona credited the improvement to the knuckleballer's improved ability to prevent the opposing offenses from breaking through with big hits.
"It seems like last year, so many times, it would be walk, error, homer [for Wakefield]," Francona said. "This year, he's minimized the damage. He's made some adjustments during the game and found himself."
The Yankees counter with Randy Johnson, who they brought in to beat the Red Sox. He has done exactly that, going 3-0 in four starts against Boston this year.
Johnson lucked out in his one poor start against the Red Sox, not factoring in the decision of an 8-5 loss April 14, despite allowing five runs in seven innings.
He has pitched well for three consecutive starts, going 2-0 and allowing only four runs in 21 1/3 innings during that stretch. He earned a no-decision in his most recent outing, allowing seven hits and three runs in 6 1/3 innings during a 4-3 loss to the Devil Rays.
Season Series
• 09/10: Red Sox 9, Yankees 2
• 09/09: Yankees 8, Red Sox 4
• 07/17: Yankees 5, Red Sox 3
• 07/16: Yankees 7, Red Sox 4
• 07/15: Red Sox 17, Yankees 1
• 07/14: Yankees 8, Red Sox 6
• 05/29: Red Sox 7, Yankees 2
• 05/28: Red Sox 17, Yankees 1
• 05/27: Yankees 6, Red Sox 3
• 04/14: Red Sox 8, Yankees 5
• 04/13: Yankees 5, Red Sox 2
• 04/11: Red Sox 8, Yankees 1
• 04/06: Red Sox 7, Yankees 3
• 04/05: Yankees 4, Red Sox 3
• 04/03: Yankees 9, Red Sox 2
Pitching matchup
BOS: RHP Tim Wakefield
• 15-10, 4.29 ERA in 2005
• 1-2, 3.58 ERA vs. NYY in 2005
NYY: LHP Randy Johnson
• 13-8, 4.05 ERA in 2005
• 3-0, 4.62 ERA vs. BOS in 2005
Player to watch
Edgar Renteria has hit Johnson well, going 12-for-38 with five RBIs. Half of Renteria's hits are of the extra-base variety, four being doubles and the other two home runs.
Quotable
"This is a big swing game. Hopefully we come out and win this game [on Sunday]. But the worst we're going to leave here is a [three-game] series up on these [guys]. This late in the season, that's a big deal." -- Curt Schilling
Quick hits
After scoring two runs on David Ortiz's home run in the first inning on Saturday, the Red Sox became the first team in the Majors to score 800 runs this season. ... The Red Sox are in the middle of a stretch in which 19 of 23 games are against American League East teams. ... After beating the Yankees on Saturday, the Red Sox are 29-28 against division foes.
On deck
• Monday: at Toronto, 7:07 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: at Toronto, 7:07 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: at Toronto, 7:07 p.m. ET