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Wakefield shuts down Devil Rays as Red Sox cruise

Aug 21, 2007 - 2:50 AM ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- Boston Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield continued his mastery over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Wakefield pitched seven scoreless innings and Mike Lowell homered as the Red Sox rolled to a 6-0 victory on Monday.

Wakefield improved to 9-0 lifetime at Tropicana Field Bay and 19-2 all-time against the Devil Rays. Both win totals are the most by a Tampa Bay opponent.

"I felt like I had good command of everything tonight," Wakefield said. "The offense made my job easier. We knew it was going to be a tight one, but we were able to push some runs across early.

"I like pitching inside, it's better because you don't have to deal with the elements and the ball moves a little more."

The veteran righthander (15-10) scattered four hits - all singles - and struck out five with one walk. He is 4-0 this season against Tampa Bay, allowing only five runs in 27 1/3 innings.

"He's just good," Tampa Bay All-Star Carl Crawford said. "I just take a hack at it. I don't care what happens after that. I just swing as hard as I can. It's like playing softball, but it's moving more like a Wiffle ball.

"He ain't just throwing it down the middle any more. It took me a while to believe anyone can control a knuckleball, but he can."

Wakefield has gone at least six innings in eight of his last nine starts and has earned the decision in all 25 of his starts this season.

"He was good and he was in command of the game," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "He just pounded the strike zone. Playing with a cushion made our night a little better."

Lowell provided all the offense Wakefield would need with a two-run double in the first. The All-Star third baseman also closed the scoring with a solo home run in the fifth inning.

Manny Ramirez added a two-run single in the second, giving him 1,600 career RBI and moving him past Nap Lajoie (1,599 RBIs) into 28th place on the all-time list.

Ramirez has 39 RBI in 38 games since the All-Star break.

Scott Kazmir (9-8) had not allowed a run in his last 13 innings, but gave up five runs in the first two innings. The 23-year-old lefthander, who had allowed only four earned runs in his last 44 2/3 innings entering Monday's contest, allowed six runs before leaving after 5 2/3 innings.

"I felt good out there," Kazmir said. "I just have to let this one go. Worry about my next start already."

The Devil Rays were shut out for the fifth time since July 19.

"I've seen Wakefield in the past, it's as good as I've seen him," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. "His combination of movement and being able to throw it where he wants it. I really don't have an answer. He's just on his game. It happens."