Be careful what you predict because it might come true. Due to an unfavorable matchup, I predicted a poor start from Tim Wakefield in tonight's game against the Rangers and a poor start was what we got. Wakefield gave up 7 runs in the 2nd, an inning which he did not finish. The final line for Wakey, is 1.2 pitched 7 earned and his 10th loss of the season. Even worse is the fact that Red Sox officials think Wakefield possibly reinjured the shoulder that put him on the DL a couple weeks in tonights game and the last thing they need right now is another longterm injury. They should play it safe with Wake and use Michael Bowden to spot start for him his next time around. It would be smart to have caution with Wakefield and a good chance to let Bowden prove that his last start wasn't just a fluke.
However, also as I predicted, the Red Sox bats, against inexperienced Ranger starter Matt Harrison, kept them in it. A 3rd inning 3 run blast off of the bat of Kevin Youkilis, who came back to the Red Sox lineup in a big way today, brought the Sox within 3. Unfortunately, the Red Sox bullpen did them no favors has they gave up 8 runs. The Red Sox scored 4 in the 9th to cut into a 15-4 Rangers lead, but it wasn't enough as the Red Sox lost their first game to the Rangers all season with a final score that you'd expect from the two highest scoring offenses in the league, 15-8 Rangers.
In other AL East happenings, the Yanks won, keeping themselves out of 4th place and also gaining a game on the Red Sox in the Wild Card standings. But, the Rays lost in the 13th to the scorching Blue Jays so the Sox remain 2.5 back of the division leading Tampa Bay Rays. The Twins also fell so the Red Sox maintained their 5.5 game lead in the wild card standings.
Keywords: Boston Red Sox, Kevin Youkilis, Michael Bowden, Tim Wakefield
