Francona Wins Big in Return to Fenway

Connelly’s Top Ten: Rask Falls on Face

Bruins Lose 4-3 in OT as Rangers Fight to Stay Alive

For the Bulletin Board: Lundqvist’s “Lucky Bounces,” Savard’s “#ByeByeTorts”

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Red Sox Lose 4th Straight; Wakefield Falls In Return To Pittsburgh

The last time Tim Wakefield started in Pittsburgh was 1993, when yours truly was just 6 years old. Back then, I was watching Ren and Stimpy and the WWF, just five years removed from diapers, and probably couldn’t name one Red Sox player other than Roger Clemens. OK, you get it, Wakefield’s old.

Almost two decades later, Wakefield took the mound in Pittsburgh Saturday night to try and stop the Sox three-game losing streak. The knuckleballer, though, did not pitch particularly well. He allowed five runs on seven hits in 6.0 innings to take the loss in a 6-4 Pirates win.

“I felt great except for the fourth,” Wakefield said. “It ends up costing us the ballgame.”

That would make sense, considering Wake allowed four runs in the fourth, including a three-run shot to old nemesis Lyle Overbay.

Offensively, the Red Sox were better than on Friday night (one run). Adrian Gonzalez led the charge a HR and two RBIs, and Josh Reddick and Jacoby Ellsbury added solo shots in the seventh, but that was it.

Former Yankee Jeff Karstens pitched well enough for the win for the Pirates, going 6.2 innings with four runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks. He allowed three home runs, but limited the damage by limiting his baserunners.

Sox Stud of the Game: Josh Reddick

Reddick has played extremely well in his limited time in the majors this season, hitting .462 in 11 games. He should get a bit more playing time with Carl Crawford hurt and Drew/Cameron/McDoland all scuffling. He went 2-3 with a HR on Saturday.

Sox Dud of the Game: Tim Wakefield

Wake allowed five runs and 6.0 innings, and went 0-2 at the plate with two strikeouts. There may have been some nerves being back in Pittsburgh.

Game Notes:

W: Jeff Karstens (5-4)
L: Tim Wakefield (4-3)
SV: Joel Hanrahan (22)

• The Pirates are now two games over .500 at 39-37.
• David Ortiz grounded out pinch-hitting in the ninth.
• Terry Francona said he does not plan to play Adrian Gonzalez in right field on Sunday.

Tags: Adrian Gonzalez, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jeff Karstens, Josh Reddick, Lyle Overbay, Pittsburgh Pirates, Red Sox, Tim Wakefield

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