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Wakefield looks to push aside history, recent struggles

May 26, 2007 - 1:56 PM Boston (32-15) at Texas (18-30) 8:05 pm EDT

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- Through seven starts, Tim Wakefield's knuckleball was fluttering and it was frustrating the opposition. Lately though, the only frustration being felt when he takes the mound is his own.

Wakefield and the Boston Red Sox continue their three-game series with the Texas Rangers on Saturday when they meet at Rangers Ballpark.

The 40-year-old knuckleballer had an American League-leading 1.79 ERA through his first seven starts, never allowing more than three earned runs during a 4-3 start. Since then, Wakefield has surrendered four homers - twice as many as he did in the first seven games - and 11 runs, going 0-2 during that time.

If he hopes to change that this weekend, Wakefield (4-5, 3.14 ERA) will need to avoid his personal history against the club. He is 7-14 against them with a 5.89 ERA in 29 career appearances, including 22 starts.

Wakefield allowed nine hits and a season-high six runs over five frames in a 6-2 loss against the New York Yankees.

Vicente Padilla (2-6, 5.52) will get the start for the Rangers. The righthander yielded two runs over 5 2/3 innings in a 14-4 victory over Minnesota on Monday.

Padilla is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in his lone career start against Texas.