By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff
The Red Sox and Yankees are surely headed for the playoffs. Yet tonight the Red Sox were unceremoniously thumped 15-5 by Oakland and the Yankees were pounded 12-5 by Baltimore.
It shows you how even the best teams have issues. Tim Wakefield, a rotation mainstay for much of the season, saw his earned run average climb to 5.10. He lasted only four innings the night before a doubleheader. By the end, the Sox were reduced to putting Darnell McDonald on the mound.
Wakefield is winless in six starts seeking his 200th win. It has become tough to watch.
“I’ve got to take my personal numbers and throw them out the window right now,” he said. “We’re trying to hold onto a one-game lead in the East. The biggest thing coming off a long road trip is to try to win the game for us as a team and not for me personally. That win will eventually happen, hopefully.”
Terry Francona said Wakefield would be OK. But surely the Sox have a decision to make with their rotation. It's only two starts, but Andrew Miller seems to have found something. Do the Sox make a switch or try to use six starters?
There's also a decision to be made regarding Matt Albers, who allowed four runs on four hits in the eighth inning. In a low-pressure situation, he was hit hard again.
Albers was one of the team’s most reliable relievers for the first four months, posting a 2.09 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. In 10 outings this month, he has allowed 16 runs on 18 hits and eight walks over 11 innings.
“He’s obviously made some mistakes and when he’s made the mistakes, they’ve been in the middle of the plate and I know he’s frustrated. We’ve just got to get him back on that run again. I don’t think he’s tired,” Francona said.
“He’s going through a little rut like a lot of guys do. We’ve certainly come to depend on him and we’ll get there again.”
As good as the Sox are, there are jobs open on this roster as the postseason approaches.
As to other matters:
ߦ Kevin Youkilis took BP in the cage and was on the field taking grounders before the game. He will start a rehab assignment with Pawtucket on Tuesday and looks like a go for Sept. 2, when he's eligible to come off the DL.
ߦ J.D. Drew was on base twice and scored a run for Lowell tonight. He will play for the Spinners again on Saturday, workout for a few days then join up with the PawSox, too. He'll be ready Sept. 1.
ߦ Dustin Pedroia has 17 homers, matching the career high he set during his MVP season of 2008. Pedroia has an OPS of .869. That's what it was in 2008.
ߦ Scott Atchison, called up today, threw 59 pitches over three innings. It wouldn't seem to make much sense to keep him around for the doubleheader today but no move was announced. Francona did speak to him after the game.
ߦ Rough night for Jed Lowrie, who was 0 for 5 with four strikeouts and an error. His defense has been rocky since his return from the DL. It'll be interesting to see how Lowrie is used once Youkilis returns.
ߦ Mike Aviles may well become an adequate outfielder with a spring training to prepare. But is not one now. Putting him out there is inviting trouble.
OK, that's it for tonight. Pardon our technical issues earlier in the day. These things happen.