G24: Red Sox 10, Rays 6

Red Sox - 231 002 200 - 10 13  1
Rays    - 100 130 001 -  6 11  2

Early runs provided a cushion against Wakefield's mini-meltdown (three walks, single, double, passed ball) in the fifth.

Wakefield (5-7-5-3-5, 101) allowed a leadoff single in the sixth and handed things off to Hideki Okajima, with Boston holding an 8-5 lead. Jeemer gave up a single of his own, and a sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third with one out, and brought the potential tying run to the plate. Upton fouled to Youkilis and Carl Crawford struck out swinging.

Okajima allowed a walk and a hit in the seventh, but fanned Akinori Iwamura with runners at first and third. Ramon Ramirez pitched a perfect eighth and Takashi Saito allowed two singles and a run in the ninth.

It was a team effort with the bats: Nick Green singled twice, doubled and drove in three runs (he was also caught stealing in the second when he fell on his face halfway to second base); Jacoby Ellsbury singled twice, scored two runs and stole three bases (he leads the AL with 13); and Dustin Pedroia reached base five times (single, double, three walks).

Kevin Youkilis had a two-run double and a bases-loaded walk; J.D. Drew had a two-run double in the first to start the scoring; George Kottaras doubled and walked; Mike Lowell homered and singled; and David Ortiz walked twice and was hit by a pitch.

Jason Bay singled, stole a base and scored before leaving the game after five innings with a left ankle contusion.

Toronto (17-9!) beat Baltimore 5-4 in 11, so the Red Sox (15-9) remain 1 GB in the East. The Angels beat the Yankees 8-4, dropping New York (13-11) 3 GB.

***

Tim Wakefield (1.86, 275 ERA+) / Jeff Neimann (4.43, 111 ERA+)

In four starts this year, Neimann has pitched 22.1 innings, allowing 21 hits and 11 walks, while striking out 13. Tonight's game will be his tenth major league appearance.

***

Terry Francona is not considering moving David Ortiz out of the #3 spot:

I think it does more harm than good. We've had pretty much a set lineup. Three days ago, when we won 11 out of 12, nobody [suggested moving Ortiz from the third spot]. I don't know that's the right thing to do. ... I'm sure he gets reminded about it, so I don't want to be the one adding to that.

Rehab: Rocco Baldelli is expected to DH for Pawtucket as early as Monday. ... Mark Kotsay will DH for Pawtucket today and play in the outfield tomorrow. ... Daisuke will throw a bullpen session of 45-50 pitches today, then throw roughly the same number of pitches in a start for the PawSox on Tuesday. He will likely make at least three rehab starts.

What's wrong with Jerry Remy? This Globe sentence is pretty vague (and can only invite rampant speculation):

NESN analyst Jerry Remy will miss at least the remainder of this trip with an illness, the symptoms of which are the same as those that kept him sidelined for much of spring training.

What the hell does that mean? I recall his spring illness being described as either a chest infection or pneumonia.

Buck Martinez has filled in for Remy in this series. He has shown small bits of insight here and there, but mostly has offered mindless cliches amid numerous variations of "Yeah, he sure is, Don" in his incredibly annoying nasally voice. And he cannot pronounce the last name of our DH. Please, NESN: If Remy is unavailable on Monday, bring in Eck or Dave Roberts. Or have Orsillo go solo. Anything! Stop torturing us with Buck Martinez!