It Was Bound To Happen Sooner Or Later

By Erik Pesta
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Staked to a four run lead, thanks in part to Jason Bay's tenth homerun, Tim Wakefield couldn't hold on for the victory as the Sox fell to the Angels, 8-4. Boston jumped out early, scoring two runs in the first on Bay's homer, and then two more in the second inning on a double by Nick Green and run-scoring ground out by Jacoby Ellsbury. However, Wakefield would give all of it back and then some in the third inning, the big blow being a go-ahead three run blast off the bat of Mike Napoli. Torii Hunter followed that with a homerun of his own, a solo shot in the fourth inning, to make the score 6-4. The Angels would tack on two more runs, one each in the fifth and sixth innings, to close out the scoring for the night.

It's not like we didn't see this coming. At this point in his career, Sox fans know what to expect from Tim Wakefield: double digit wins and losses and an ERA hovering around 4.50. He had been too hot lately for it to continue, especially since he had lost his previous five starts in Anaheim. As many times a year as he baffles hitters with his signature knuckler, seemingly just as many times the pitch betrays him. This was one of those times. He gave up seven earned runs on 11 hits in just 4.2 innings pitched, while walking three and striking out only two. Such is life with the 17-year veteran: you take the good with the bad. You just never know when the good or the bad is coming, and Wakefield probably doesn't, either.

Anaheim's Matt Palmer was just the opposite of Wakefield on Wednesday night, turning what looked like a disaster of a start into a complete game victory. The 30-year old right hander settled down after rocky first and second innings, allowing only one more hit while facing the minimum number of batters the rest of the way. Palmer is now 4-0 with a 3.32 ERA on the year, after an April call up from Triple-A Salt Lake of the Pacific Coast League.

Boston turns to Brad Penny (3-1, 6.90 ERA) in the rubber game, set to face Ervin Santana, who makes his 2009 debut today after being on the disabled list with an injured elbow. First pitch is at 3:35 from Angel Stadium in Anaheim.