G141: Rangers 15, Red Sox 8

Red Sox - 013 000 004 -  8 13  0
Rangers - 072 013 02x - 15 16  0

My internet connection went out at work in the bottom of the first (IT/server upgrades) and by the time I was back up, the game was over.

Clearly, I didn't miss much, as Wakefield imploded in the second (1.2-4-7-4-0, 49) and the Sox's bid for an 11-run rally in the top of the ninth fell seven runs short. It turned out that Wakefield's 500th appearance was also his shortest start in a Red Sox uniform.

Kevin Youkilis -- back in the clean-up spot -- belted a three-run dong in the third.

Good news earlier in the day though: the Blue Jays beat the Rays 7-4 in 13 innings and the Tigers beat the Twins 6-4. Also, the White Sox beat the Angels 7-6 in 15 innings. The Yankees beat the Mariners 7-4.

So we stay 2.5 GB in the East and 5.5 GA for the Wild Card.

***

Tim Wakefield (3.76, 120 ERA+) / Matt Harrison (5.73, 75 ERA+)

Scoreboard:

FKR: 000 000 003 000 1 - 4 10 1
TOR: 110 100 000 000 4 - 7 13 1
Gregg Zaun: Grand Slam!

2 GB!

***

Tonight's start is Wakefield's 500th appearance for the Red Sox.

Bob Stanley is the only other pitcher in club history to appear in at least 500 games with 637 to his credit. Wakefield will become the first pitcher in club history to start at least 350 of his 500 outings with the Red Sox, and the 23rd pitcher to reach those milestones with one team in Major League history.

Wakefield has 162 wins with Boston, only 30 fewer than both Cy Young and Roger Clemens. I'm hoping he can stick around for another three seasons and get at least 193. Wakefield already holds the club record for losses with 143; Young is 2nd with 112, followed by Stanley with 111. (He is also 20 starts away from tying Clemens for the club record in that category.)

Kevin Youkilis, who was not with the team last night because of a personal matter, should be back in the lineup tonight and J.D. Drew might return during next week's Tampa Bay series.

***

Out-of-town Quadrupleheader!:

Rays/Blue Jays at 1
Tigers/Twins at 3:45
Angels/White Sox at 7
Yankees/Mariners at 10

East
Rays       85  54   ---   Magic #
Red Sox    83  57   2.5     21
Yankees    75  66  11.0     12
Blue Jays  74  66  11.5     12
Orioles    63  77  22.5      1

Wild Card
Red Sox    83  57   ---   Magic #
White Sox  79  61   4.0     19
Twins*     78  63   5.5     17
Yankees    75  66   8.5     14
Blue Jays  74  66   9.0     14