Red Sox losers in this pitched battle

“Good enough,’’ Wakefield said, of how he felt. “It’s a grind. But I’m here to go pitch and try to win games for us right now.’’

But it is difficult for anyone to know, including Wakefield, when he will next pitch again, or whether he will pitch again.

“It hurts to walk,’’ he said. “It’s basically managing the pain, getting through it, and being able to pitch.

“I was able to do that after the injection, threw a side, played catch. Everything was tolerable to where I can go out there and compete. Other than the first inning, I tried to keep us in the game as long as possible. Unfortunately, Gavin Floyd pitched a brilliant game today.’’

Asked for his confidence level on being able to go out and pitch next time, Wakefield said, “Right now? Good.

“The first bout, it was more weakness in my leg because I was able to rest it a lot longer than I did this time. The pain is still there. It’s not as bad as it was. It’s not as debilitating as it was before, but it’s tolerable enough where I can go out there and compete.’’

But there are moments when it is clear Wakefield is struggling to move. Like in the sixth, on a ground ball to first base by Chris Getz. That put one thought in Wakefield’s mind: “Oh, God.’’

It was an infield hit, on which Kevin Youkilis rushed over to first but couldn’t beat Getz there. Wakefield ran over as well, having to avoid Youkilis at the last minute. Manager Terry Francona came out with a trainer to ensure that Wakefield was OK, and the pitcher remained out there long enough to get an out, ending the sixth.

“It’s tough seeing him on the ball that Youk got at first base,’’ Nick Green said. “Just to see him run over there, it’s kind of painful to watch. But it’s admirable for him to go out there and pitch, especially pitch as well as he did.’’

But it wasn’t Wakefield getting the pitching accolades by the end of the game. Floyd was busy making that 3-0 first-inning lead stand up, keeping the Red Sox off the bases over the first five innings.