Boston Red Sox (44-31) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (38-37)
Tim Wakefield (4-2, 4.26) @ Jeff Karstens (4-4, 2.54)
7:05 PM EDT | PNC Park (Pittsburgh, PA)
TV: NESN RADIO: WEEI 850, WWZN 1510

INJURY REPORT

Boston: Clay Buchholz, lower back strain (Placed on the 15-day DL on June 19, retroactive to June 17); Carl Crawford, strained left hamstring (Placed on the 15-day DL June 18); Jed Lowrie, right shoulder injury (Placed on the 15-day DL on June 17); Bobby Jenks, left back tightness (Placed on the 15-day on DL June 8); Rich Hill, left elbow sprain (Placed on the 15-day DL on June 3, retroactive to June 2) Franklin Morales, left forearm strain (Placed on the 15-day DL on May 29, retroactive to May 26); Daisuke Matsuzaka, sprained elbow (Placed on the 15-day DL on May 17, transferred to the 60-day DL on June 3); Junichi Tazawa, right elbow surgery (placed on the 60-day DL on March 26)

Pittsburgh: Evan Meek, right shoulder tendinitis (Placed on the 15-day DL on June 10, retroactive to June 8); Chris Snyder, back surgery (Placed on the 15-day DL on June 9, transferred to the 60-day DL on June 10); Ryan Doumit, left ankle sprain (Placed on the 15-day DL on May 30); Steve Pearce, right calf strain (Placed on the 15-day DL on May 30, retroactive to May 29);  Joe Beimel, left elbow inflammation (Placed on the 15-day DL on May 28); Pedro Alvarez, right quad strain (Placed on the 15-day DL on May 21, retroactive to May 20); Mike Crotta, right elbow posterior inflammation (Placed on the 15-day DL on May 11); Ross Ohlendorf, right shoulder posterior strain (Placed on the 15-day DL on April 9, transferred to the 60-day DL on May 30); Kevin Hart, right shoulder surgery (Placed on the 60-day DL on March 18)

GAME NOTES

A three-game losing streak against traditional National League bottom-dwellers has caused some unrest in Red Sox Nation. The offense has stalled a bit, the pitching hasn’t been sharp, and the defense has been shaky. However, tonight’s story is Tim Wakefield, who will make what most likely will be his final start in Pittsburgh, where he started his Major League career. Wakefield is closing in on 200 wins; he earned #197 in his last start against the Brewers, lasting eight innings and giving up three runs on three hits (two homers) and one walk with six strikeouts. Lyle Overbay had some success against Wakes during his days as a Blue Jay, going 9-27 with one home run and five RBI.

Jeff Karstens takes the mound for the Buccos tonight. In his last start, Karstens went seven innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk against five strikeouts, but took a no decision in an extra-inning loss against the Indians. Karstens had a career-high 15.2 scoreless inning streak broken in that start against Cleveland. Adrian Gonzalez is 3-5 with one RBI in his career against Karstens.

Lineups

Red Sox

  1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
  2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
  3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
  4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
  5. J.D. Drew, RF
  6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
  7. Josh Reddick, LF
  8. Marco Scutaro, SS
  9. Tim Wakefield, P

Pittsburgh

  1. Jose Tabata, LF
  2. Chase d’Arnaud, 3B
  3. Garrett Jones, RF
  4. Andrew McCutchen, CF
  5. Neil Walker, 2B
  6. Lyle Overbay, 1B
  7. Ronny Cedeno, SS
  8. Mike McKenry, C
  9. Jeff Karstens, P

Fun Facts

– The Red Sox have a total record of 145-112 (.564) in Interleague play, good for 4th best in the Majors, and have gone 100-49 (.649) in Interleague play since 2003, best in the Majors.

– Daniel Bard is tied for the AL lead in holds with 14, and has not allowed a run in 10.2 innings (over nine appearances).

– On June 25, 1937, Red Sox right fielder Ben Chapman made one-third of the putouts in a victory against the St. Louis Browns. Seven of his nine putouts were made consecutively.

– And for today’s Totally Untrue Fun Fact: Before adopting “We Are Family” as the team song, the 1979 Pirates tried “Beat on the Brat” by the Ramones. As a result, baseball bat-related violence rose around Three Rivers Stadium, which caused the team to find a more peaceful song.