Boston Red Sox defeat Toronto Blue Jays 6-4 – MLB Update
The Boston Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-4 at Fenway Park on Wednesday, July 6 to complete the 2-1 series victory.
Tim Wakefield, the 44-year-old Red Sox veteran, threw strong seven innings to win kudos from team-mates and fans.
Wakefield’s exploit was all the more important because the Red Sox started the series with a 9-7 loss to the Blue Jays. "I know I had to go deep in the game tonight because the bullpen had been taxed lately," Wakefield said. "As a starting pitcher, it's
something you take a lot of pride in."
In front of an overly thrilled crowd, Wakefield started the game with magical variation in his fastballs. Jose Bautista was the first to score for the Blue Jays in the very first inning. However, the lead did not last long.
Jacoby Ellsbury levelled the score in the bottom of first inning when Ricky Romero was dispatched as the starting pitcher for the Blue Jays. Kevin Youkilis homered in the second inning to take the Red Sox lead to 2-1 while Wakefield unleashed his unplayable
fastballs.
While Wakefield pitched well, the Blue Jays’ hitters seemed determined not to give in. Bautista and Adam Lind scored a single each in the third inning to reverse the Red Sox lead and bring the Blue Jays in the charge of the game with a 3-2 lead.
However, the Red Sox offence turned everything upside down for the Blue Jays in the 5-hit and four-run fourth inning that, in a way, proved to be the game decider given the exceptional performance of Wakefield.
Darnell McDonald drove in a single followed by Yamaico Navarro’s RBI, taking the lead to 4-3. However, to Ricky Romero’s disappointment, Jacoby Ellsbury smashed a big hit, bringing in a two-run homer and taking the lead to 6-3 for the Red Sox.
As the Red Sox comfortably got to the strongest position possible, the veteran Wakefield increased the pace of his fastballs, throwing the Blue Jays’ hitters into confusion.
"He was pitching the best I've seen him so far," said catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia."He's definitely a guy that deserves to be in the rotation."
As Wakefield put an end to one of his best pitching spells, Daniel Bard came as a reliever in the eighth inning, allowing no space to the Blue Jays’ hitters, pitching another shut-out inning.
Closer Jonathan Papelbon gave up a hit and allowed a run to Yunel Escobar in the 9th, but did not allow Eric Thames to cash in. The game ended with the Red Sox taking the victory 6-4 and the series 2-1 from the Blue Jays.
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