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Sox Sweep Tigers, Wakefield Gets 7th Win

The Red Sox pulled out the brooms Thursday afternoon, wiping away the Tigers for the third straight game, winning the finale 6-3. Tim Wakefield recovered from a rough second inning (three runs allowed) to last 6.2 innings with three strikeouts.

The Sox piled all of their six runs in the third inning after facing a 3-0 deficit. Tigers SP Dontrelle Willis was unhittable, but absurdly wild. In his 2.2 innings, he allowed zero hits but walked five and hit a batter and was charged with five runs. The first two runs were scored on bases loaded walks by J.D. Drew and Kevin Youkilis. Two more were scored on a Jason Bay double, and a fifth run was scored on Mike Lowell’s groundout.

The sixth run was charged to Zach Miner, who settled down to hold the Sox at bay for four innings. Despite strong pitching the rest of the way, the Tigers couldn’t muster anymore offensively and fell victim to the sweep.

Sox Stud of the Game

Jason Bay, LF: Bay went just 1-5, but he hit the clutch, go-ahead two-run double in the third inning to give the Sox the lead for good. He ranks second in the AL with 53 RBI.

Sox Dud of the Game

Kevin Youkilis, 1B: Youk can’t buy a break. A game after getting stomped on at first base, Youk had to leave Thursday’s game in the fourth with tightness in his right calf.

Game Notes

W: Tim Wakefield (7-3)
L: Dontrelle Willis (1-3)
S: Jonathan Papelbon (14)

• The Sox scored six total runs on just six hits.
• David Ortiz was given the day off against the lefty, Dontrelle Willis.
• Mark Kotsay subbed in for Youk, and went 0-3. He’s still hitless for the season.

Tags: Detroit Tigers, Dontrelle Willis, Jason Bay, Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox, Tim Wakefield

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