I couldn’t be happier for Wake, who really deserved to get the win. Alas, Bobby Jenks came in and gave up two runs, so a “W” just wasn’t in the cards today. Nevertheless, Wakefield certainly deserved the ovation he reportedly got when leaving the mound this afternoon. After last year, when he was often sarcastic and passive-aggressive about his reduced role, Wakefield has taken things in stride this year. He’s mopped up more than a few games at this point, and was ready and very able to take the ball for the spot start this afternoon.
The Red Sox certainly needed a performance like Wake’s today. When I realized that he was going against King Felix, I was extremely worried, and had even conceded the game in my head; what business does a 44-year-old knuckleballer have beating the reigning AL Cy Young winner? (Yes, I know Papelbon is TECHNICALLY credited with the win, but it’s a moral victory for Wake.)
This win brings the Red Sox to 12-15, last in the AL East, and 5 games behind the streaking Yankees. The victory was much needed, and brought some much needed spotlight to Carl Crawford, who knocked in Jed Lowrie to win in the bottom of the ninth. In a quick interview with Heidi Watney after the game, Crawford acknowledged how nice it was to do something to win the game, and how much the Red Sox – and he – needed some success.
Thankfully the Angels come to town starting tomorrow – hopefully the Red Sox can start a long winning streak against them, juts like they did out in Anaheim last week. Clay Buchholz gets the ball tomorrow… hopefully he’s recovered from his “internal issues” enough to notch a quality start.
