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Wakefield takes the hill for Red Sox in opener

Jul 27, 2007 - 1:29 PM Boston (62-40) at Tampa Bay (38-63), 7:10 pm EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) - The surging Boston Red Sox go in search of their seventh win in eight games when they visit the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the opener of a three-game series on Friday.

With the New York Yankees picking up steam, Boston would like to add a little more distance to its lead in the American League East standings. The Red Sox hold a 7 1/2-game edge over the Yankees.

Boston will send Tim Wakefield (11-9, 4.74 ERA), who makes his first road outing since June 23, to the hill. Wakefield gave up four runs in 6 1/3 innings of an 8-5 win against the Chicago White Sox in his last start.

The righthanded knuckleballer has been outstanding against the Devil Rays, who are just 2-16 all-time against Wakefield.

Tampa Bay's Jason Hammel (1-0, 5.82) goes after his second career win in this one. On Saturday, the righthander allowed two runs in four frames, but did not figure into the decision of a 7-3 loss to the Yankees.

In his lone career start against the Red Sox, Hammel was pounded for five runs and nine hits through four innings at Fenway Park on September 26, 2006.