First strikes

''But I noticed that Manny's been roping a few more that way," Manuel said, gesturing toward left field. ''You do that a little more when you get older."

A couple of hours later, Ramírez put a swing on Phillies pitcher Jon Lieber that was reminiscent of the ones Manuel used to watch a 19-year-old Ramírez demonstrate in Florida. Ramírez, now 33, drove a ball far beyond the right-field fence of Citizens Bank Park, a homer-happy environment, for a three-run home run in the fifth, the Sox' instrument of choice last night in their fifth straight win and 10th in the last 11 games. With the injury-ravaged Orioles losing, 7-5, to the Braves, the Sox reclaimed first place and moved a dozen games over .500 for the first time this season.

While Wakefield was holding the Phillies to two singles over eight innings, his personal valet, Doug Mirabelli, delivered the first three-run home run of the night, staking Wakefield to a second-inning lead and giving the knuckleballer breathing room on a muggy night to strive for a shutout, something Wakefield does in this town every dozen years or so. Wakefield blanked the Phillies June 3, 1993, when they were still playing in saucer-shaped Veterans Stadium and Curt Schilling was the Phillies' ace and hiding under a towel whenever closer Mitch Williams took the ball.

The Phillies loaded the bases in the eighth on two walks and Bill Mueller's throwing error, but Wakefield struck out the dangerous but slumping Bobby Abreu (2 for 16) before being lifted for pinch hitter Kevin Youkilis in the ninth.

''Yes and no," Wakefield said, when asked if he would have preferred to finish the game, instead of yielding to Alan Embree for the final three outs. ''I was just thankful I was allowed to stay in the game and get Abreu."