Tim Wakefield and Brad Penny both made starts last night that were pivotal to the rest of their season, and their divergent results left today's reality: Wakefield will start Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox while Penny's future with the Red Sox is in limbo, manager Terry Francona said.
Wakefield, rehabbing in Triple A Pawtucket, had to prove himself ready to not just pitch in a big league game, but also field his position despite a nerve issue sapping his left calf of strength. Penny, starting against the Yankees, had to prove himself effective enough to remain in the Red Sox rotation.
Wakefield allowed one run and two hits in 5 2/3 innings. Penny allowed eight runs and 10 hits in four-plus miserable innings at Fenway Park.
The Sox decided Wakefield would make his first start since the All-Star break. As for Penny, hoe Junichi Tazawa fares tonight may determine his fate. Since June 23, Penny has one win in 11 starts and a 6.37 ERA. Francona talked to Penny this morning.
"I told him he's got to hang tight a little bit," Francona said. "We'll get through today, and then we'll tell him where we go from there."
Source: Boston Globe