G9: Red Sox 8, Athletics 2

Red Sox   - 020 000 060 - 8 10  1
Athletics - 000 000 011 - 2  4  0

Wakefield pitched 7.1 no-hit innings and went the distance for his 31st career complete game. After the pen was spent after Tuesday night, Wakefield did exactly what the Red Sox needed.

Mike Lowell hit a two-run home run in the second inning. His fielding error to start the sixth ruined Wakefield's shot at a perfect game. For the first seven innings, Wakefield's pitch count was ridiculously low: 30 through 5 innings, 54 through 6, 67 through 7. He began to tire at that point, allowing six base runners (and two runs) over the last two innings and throwing 44 pitches. He finished with a 9-4-2-2-4, 111 line.

Eight consecutive Red Sox batters reached base after two were out in the eighth inning. J.D. Drew's three-run dong broke the game open, giving Boston a 5-0 lead.

***

Daisuke Matsuzaka has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. Left-handed reliever Hunter Jones has been summoned from Pawtucket and may arrive at the park during today's game.

Terry Francona, after speaking with trainer Mike Reinhold this morning:

I don't think there's an injury. It just looks like there's some fatigue. Kind of like last year, where he's got to build it back up and feel good about himself.

***

Tim Wakefield (4.50, 113 ERA+) / Brett Anderson (7.50, 60 ERA+)

Another game in Oakland, another young lefty.

BP 2009:

... it looks as if Anderson will turn out to be the best player brought to Oakland in the [Haren] exchange. The son of a pitching coach, he was the most polished pitcher in the Arizona system as a teenager, but scouts were always turned off by his dumpy, unathletic frame. Last spring, he came to camp 25 to 30 pounds lighter and took another step forward because of it, with his low-90s fastball grading up because of its excellent movement and location. Unlike most pitchers his age [21], Anderson has advanced secondary offerings and an excellent feel for his craft. He's moving up rapidly, could be in Oakland by the end of the year, and has All-Star potential.

Wakefield needs to go at least six innings, as the bullpen pitched 10.2 innings last night and most of the relievers went multiple innings, including Justin Masterson (4 innings, 60 pitches), Manny Delcarmen (1.2, 36), Hideki Okajima (2, 28). Also, Javier Lopez has pitched in each of the last three games.

Who's available? Takashi Saito was the only reliever to not work yesterday. Jonathan Papelbon did not pitch on Sunday or Monday and threw only 16 pitches last night. Ramon Ramirez would be the third guy, I suppose. Can Chris Carter pitch?

Win or lose this afternoon, the day off on Thursday will be most welcome.