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Let’s face it: you probably watched the first hour of the Friday night’s Red Sox game and missed the rest while the Bruins were on (the Bruins, of course, won 1-0 to earn their first trip to the Stanley Cup since 1990). Well, fear not! I’ve got you covered.

Tim Wakefield filled in admirably for the Red Sox yet again, tossing 7.0 innings while allowing just two earned runs (in the first two innings) to pick up his second win of the season in a 6-3 Red Sox victory. Wake allowed just five hits and two walks and struck out two to help the Red Sox grab sole possession of first place in the AL East.

On the other side, Tigers righty Rick Porcello allowed five runs in the third inning and six overall over just 3.0 innings of work to take his third loss (4-3) of the season. In that fifth inning, Jacoby Ellsbury hit a home run, Kevin Youkilis cleared the bases with a two-run double, and Carl Crawford batted him home with his fourth home run.

The Red Sox got their other run in the first inning when Ellsbury scored on a wild pitch. Ellsbury also stole his 18th base of the season in the inning.

Jonathan Papelbon allowed a run in the ninth on a Jhonny Peralta double before slamming the door shut.

Sox Stud of the Game: Carl Crawford

Crawford put the game away early with his two-run HR in the third inning off Porcello that made it 6-1 Red Sox. He raised his season batting average to .245 (Dustin Pedroia is hitting .247 by comparison).

Sox Dud of the Game: Jarrod Saltalamacchia

After a recent hot streak, Salty finished 0-4 with two strikeouts and three men left on base. Can’t have your best every night.

Game Notes:

W: Tim Wakefield (2-1)
L: Rick Porcello (4-3)

• Maine native Charlie Furbush pitched five scoreless innings of relief with 6 K’s for the Tigers.
• Victor Martinez went 2-4 against his old team and scored on Peralta’s double in the ninth.
• Josh Reddick started in right field and went 1-3.

About KC Downey

KC is the "head coach" of the Sports of Boston, LLC blog network. Follow him on Twitter: @kc_downey

Tags: Carl Crawford, Detroit Tigers, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jhonny Peralta, Josh Reddick, Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox, Rick Porcello, Tim Wakefield