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Young homers as Devil Rays down Red Sox

Sep 23, 2007 - 9:41 PM By Althea Pashman PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) - Tim Wakefield has owned the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in his career. On Sunday, Delmon Young spoiled another solid pitching effort by the knuckleballer.

Young had three hits, including a two-run homer, to lead the Devil Rays to a 5-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox, handing Wakefield his first career loss at Tropicana Field.

Young's three hits gave him 183 on the season, making him one of 12 rookies since 1969 that have recorded at least 180 hits in a season. Young is within one of Rocco Baldelli's team rookie record of 184 set in 2003.

"Everyone went up there today just trying to put the ball on the bat," Young said.

The 22-year-old is making a late charge to wrestle the American League Rookie of the Year Award away from Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who leads all AL rookies in batting average (.315) and runs scored (81).

Young paces AL rookies in RBI, with the two on Sunday lifting his season total to 93. The right fielder could also get credit from the voters for his defense. His outstanding arm has led to 16 outfield assists - good for fifth in the major leagues.

"You put this whole picture together I thought it equals Rookie Of the Year," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said about Young. "I think he's the award winner, I do. He's going to play 162 games this year. Whenever you can rely on a player to play every day, it helps the whole team. I think if you're going to go after the guy with the better numbers, that's Delmon."

With B.J. Upton aboard after a single and steal of second base in the second inning, Young blasted a 2-1 pitch from Wakefield into the left-center field seats for his 13th home run, giving the Devil Rays an early 2-0 lead.

"The ball just hit my bat," Young said. "I was just swinging to hopefully make contact."

Wakefield came into the game owning a 19-2 career record against Tampa Bay, including a 9-0 mark here. He had defeated the Devil Rays six straight times since a loss on April 20, 2006, along with a 4-0 record in five starts this season.

"I felt fine today," Wakefield said. "I thought I had good movement, but I made one mistake today. They were able to (put) together a couple of hits after the home run."

Maddon called it "experience."

"Whatever Wakefield has done in the past is just that, the past," Maddon said. "Today was the definitive sign of progress."

Tampa Bay increased its lead to 3-0 in the fourth when Jonny Gomes lined a single into left that scored Young, who was on second after clubbing his 38th double of the season.

Devil Rays starter Edwin Jackson (5-15) was cruising along with a one-hitter until the sixth inning, when he unraveled after a leadoff hit to Julio Lugo. Jackson could not make it out of the inning, giving up run-scoring singles to David Ortiz and Coco Crisp and a bases-loaded walk to J.D. Drew that scored rookie Jacoby Ellsbury.

"I thought he threw the ball well," Maddon said. "Overall, well done on their part (catcher Raul Casanova and Jackson). You look at that inning itself, he didn't get smoked. I thought he did a good job."

Jackson was replaced by Jon Switzer, who got Eric Hinske to ground into a double play to preserve a 4-3 lead. Jackson was charged with four runs and seven hits while walking three and striking out five.

Three Tampa Bay relievers got the ball to closer Al Reyes, who rebounded from a blown save on Saturday to toss a perfect frame, earning his 25th save of the season.

"Good to get him out again quickly," Maddon said.

Wakefield was lifted after failing to get an out in the sixth, finishing with a line of four runs and seven hits while walking five and striking out three.