''I love the way we work pitchers," said a proud Terry Francona, whose club, after a 7-4 win last night over the White Sox, has plated 62 runs in its last six games, all wins, and is guaranteed of winning the season series against Chicago (Boston is 4-2 with the finale today). ''We do a very good job of that."
Garland became the latest to learn the validity of that statement. He was touched for five runs on nine hits in just 5 1/3 innings. He threw 50 pitches after two innings, 75 after three, and 94 after four. With no outs in the third inning, Garland had thrown 68 pitches in falling behind, 3-0.
''He had to work a lot early," said Tony Graffanino, who went 3 for 4 with two doubles, two runs scored, and an RBI, lifting his average since joining the Red Sox to .358 (24 for 67) in 16 games. ''It was hot and humid. It took a toll on him."
Garland was gone in the sixth inning, the Sox ahead, 5-0, on Edgar Renteria's RBI single on Garland's 108th and final pitch and comfortably headed to their 14th win in 16 games and 13th consecutive home win. The Sox had scored once in the second and three times in the third to build that lead.
Roberto Petagine, batting fifth behind Manny Ramirez, knocked in two runs of a 4-0 lead. His solo homer in the second (his first major league blast since 1998), coupled with his third-inning RBI single up the middle, gave the first baseman eight RBIs in his last four games.
''He's got probably 18 at-bats, and he's got a bunch of RBIs," Francona remarked. ''His at-bats have counted. You get a new guy, they don't just play, he winds up hitting in the middle of our order and does some damage."
Tim Wakefield, in his only previous appearance this season against the White Sox (July 22 at Chicago), was hit as hard as he has been in any of his 24 starts. He allowed seven runs that night on nine hits -- including two three-run home runs in the sixth inning -- and lasted just 5 2/3 innings.
Last night he was far more effective. He'd scattered four hits through six scoreless innings before a 40-minute rain delay halted the game in the bottom of the sixth.
