Tim Wakefield made Manager Terry Francona’s decision in how to use his bullpen in this game by pitching for 8 shutout innings while tossing a no-hitter into the top of the seventh inning in the Boston 3-0 win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Jonathan Papelbon pitched an electric ninth inning topping out at 97 mph in earning his 28th save of the season.
Wakefield struck out six Devil Rays and only walked two in his outting. His no-hit bid was broken up in the seventh by a Carl Crawford single that was hit in the second base/first base hole.
Wakefield earned his 14 victory of the season and his 18th win against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in his career. He is 10-2 at Fenway Park against Tampa and is 8-0 at the Trop.
Jonny Gomes had the other hit against Wakefield in the eighth inning on a single to left field that was scorched over Manny Ramirez’ head.
David Ortiz knocked in the first run of the game on a double that bounced into the center field triangle for a stand up double scoring Julio Lugo.
Wakefield had one tough inning that came in the seventh as Crawford lead off the inning with a single breaking up the no-hitter, then stole second base.
Only up 1-0 it was gut check time for Wakefield as the no-hit chance was over and the game was on the line. Wakefield answered the challenge finishing out the inning getting B.J. Upton to line out left, Carlos Pena flied out to center and Crawford tagged up to third base.
With any passed ball or wild pitch Crawford easily scores from third base, but Wakefield took care of that challenge too striking out Delmon Young to end the inning.
Lugo who was 3-4 on the night brought home Boston’s second run of the game on a two out single to center scoring Doug Mirabelli giving Boston a 2-0 lead.
James Shields (9-8) picked up the loss in this one although pitching well over 6 innings of work, giving up five hits, one run, walked none, and struck out five.
Mike Lowell added the last run for Boston in the eighth on an RBI single to center field.