The Sox have hit a little funk, dropping three of their last four games. They are off today, then have three games against the Rays in a span of approximately 28 hours. There’s a doubleheader tomorrow and a day game Wednesday.
“We have kind of a weird schedule coming up. We have to play better,’’ second baseman Dustin Pedroia said.
Wakefield won his 199th game July 24. Yesterday was the fourth time he has pitched well enough to win, only to walk away empty-handed. The 45-year-old allowed five runs (four earned) over eight innings. He is 0-2 with a 4.08 ERA in his last four starts.
At this point, Wakefield is less concerned about his personal milestone than he is helping the Red Sox regain lost momentum.
“I’m just trying to pitch quality starts and quality innings to try to get us wins because it’s getting that time of year,’’ he said. “It’s time to win games.’’
Sloppy defense did not help that cause yesterday. Wakefield retired the first six batters before Casper Wells walked to start the third inning.
“I thought I had him struck out,’’ said Wakefield, who threw a knuckleball just off the inside corner at 3-and-2.
Wells stole second and went to third when the rushed throw from Jarrod Saltalamacchia went into center field. Jack Wilson’s infield single made it 1-0.
Kyle Seager followed with a single to right field.
When Ichiro Suzuki grounded to first, Adrian Gonzalez fired to second base. The return throw from Lowrie was too late to get Ichiro, but at least the Red Sox had an out.
Except they didn’t. Umpire Ed Hickox said Lowrie never touched the base and that Seager was safe.
Replays showed Lowrie catching the ball behind the bag before moving away from the runner and throwing to first.
“I really thought he grazed the bag. [But] it doesn’t matter what I think,’’ said Francona, who emerged from the dugout to argue the call.
“I think you have to be pretty sure on that one if you’re going to make a call like that. After you look at the replay, I don’t know how he can be sure.’’
