The celebration yielded to another dreary and meaningless game, a 12-0 loss last night that finalized the Blue Jays’ sweep before 37,246 at Fenway Park. The Sox lost their sixth straight game as Tim Wakefield, trying to gut through another start, most likely threw the final pitches of his season. The Blue Jays had 14 hits before the Sox managed their first - a single to left in the sixth inning by Joey Gathright - against Roy Halladay.
Before the game, players still basked in the clinching. Some of them had headaches. A handful of players had found their way to the Baseball Tavern Tuesday night, and the party ran “pretty late,’’ Mike Lowell said. “We enjoyed our night.’’
The carpet in the clubhouse yesterday was spongy, still soggy enough that your feet got wet if you stood in one place. Electric fans blew in two corners. A bottle of Korbel rested on a shelf in Lowell’s locker. Team president Larry Lucchino shook hands with players and clubhouse staff.
“Maybe people that are around the team understand, maybe they don’t,’’ said Francona, who had gone to Virginia to watch his son, Nick, graduate from The Basic School of the Marine Corps in Quantico. “It’s a long year. For them to let it loose like that, together, I like it. I think it’s good for them. Winning should never get old.’’
For Wakefield, last night was more bitter than sweet. He lasted three innings and allowed five runs on seven hits, three of which left the park on a cold night.
Wakefield, 43, became an All-Star this year for the first time, winning 11 games as he stabilized the Red Sox’ staff. Now, his season may be over. His rickety left leg will almost certainly keep him off the postseason roster.
“I don’t make those decisions,’’ Wakefield said. “Those decisions will come down in the next couple days. I’ll deal with it when the time comes. If I’m on the team, great. I’ll give them everything I have, whether it’s in relief or a start or whatever. If I’m not, I’ll be the biggest cheerleader in the dugout.’’
