G126: Red Sox 3, White Sox 2

White Sox - 100 000 010 - 2  7  0
Red Sox   - 010 001 001 - 3  7  1

BIG PAPI Walkoff HR!




Wakefield was brilliant (7-6-1-1-3, 94) and David Ortiz hit two home runs! The game-winning blast was clubbed down the right field line, plenty high and deep enough, and it stayed fair -- his first walkoff dong since September 12, 2007.

Boston's other slugger -- Alex Gonzalez -- hit a solo shot in the sixth.

And Victor Martinez's night of dealing with the knuckleball was a complete non-event. It was never an issue. ... Plus, 21 of Wakefield's first 22 pitches (and 27 of 30) were strikes.

The Yankees beat the Rangers 9-2, so Boston stays 6 GB in the East. The Rangers fell 2.5 GB Boston in the Wild Card. The Blue Jays scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Rays 3-2 and drop Tampa 4 GB in the WC.

Gavin Floyd (3.98, 118 ERA+) / Tim Wakefield (4.31, 110 ERA+)

Wakefield returns from the DL (lower back and left calf) for his first start since July 8. His pitches shall float like a butterfly while the Red Sox bats sting like a bee. A big fookin' nine-stinger stabbin' bee. Well, maybe an eight-stinger bee, since Seabass will be in there.

Brave Victor Martinez will be behind the plate:

I'm really looking forward to it. I've had a chance to catch four or five of his [bullpen sessions]. ... I'm pretty excited. ... You don't have to look pretty catching it. You just have to make sure that you catch it.

Since Wakefield's mobility in somewhat uncertain, Tito will go with strong gloves at the corners: Kotchman 1B and Yook 3B, with Tiz DHing.

Also: Rangers (Holland)/Yankees (Pettitte) at 7 PM.