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Youkilis, Red Sox slam Orioles

Jul 13, 2008 - 3:17 AM By Tony Lee PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Kevin Youkilis is not resting on his laurels.

The first-time All-Star slugged his first career grand slam and set a career high with six RBI to back another strong start by Tim Wakefield as the Boston Red Sox rolled to a 12-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night at Fenway Park.

J.D. Drew and All-Star Manny Ramirez belted back-to-back homers in the first inning for the Red Sox, who improved to 4-1 on their current homestand and 35-11 overall here. With Tampa Bay (55-38) dropping its sixth straight, Boston (56-40) moved within one-half game of first place in the American League East Division.

However, Youkilis is not concerned with where the Red Sox stand at the All-Star break.

"You've got to play the whole six months," said Youkilis, whose club was swept by the Rays on the road two weeks ago. "It's not who's in first place on July 1 or in August. It's at the end of September, whoever's in first goes on to the playoffs."

Considered by some to have been snubbed from the All-Star team in 2007, when he had a strong first half but was beaten out at first base by teammate and regular designated hitter David Ortiz, Youkilis was a worthy selection as this year's AL starter at the position.

And since it was made official Monday, he has done nothing to change any minds.

The 29-year-old had a pair of three-hit games earlier on the homestand and knocked in four of Boston's 18 runs in a rout of Minnesota on Wednesday. After grounding out in his first at-bat Saturday, he helped the Red Sox break open the game in the third, highlighting a seven-run outburst with a grand slam over the "Green Monster" in left field to make it 7-1.

"I was just trying to get a good pitch to hit there, 3-1 (count), trying to drive something to the outfield," Youkilis said. "Off the bat, it felt good, but I didn't know if it would get over the 'Green Monster,' especially in left-center field, but I was just glad it got out of here."

The Red Sox added two more runs in the frame and sent 12 batters to the plate against Orioles rookie starter Radhames Liz and reliever Lance Cormier. Youkilis, who had a sacrifice fly the next inning and capped the scoring with an RBI single in the eighth, has 13 RBI in 11 games this month.

Youkilis' six RBI were a season high for a member of the Red Sox and more than enough for Wakefield (6-6) to improve to 5-2 at home this year and pick up his 160th win with Boston. The knuckleballer, who yielded just a two-out single by former teammate Kevin Millar in the second and a solo homer by Ramon Hernandez in the third, retired the last 13 batters he faced.

Wakefield, who struck out six and walked one, threw 72 of his 98 pitches for strikes. The 41-year-old has not allowed more than three earned runs in nine straight starts.

"Everything's been clicking for me, so I don't want to change anything," Wakefield said. "I'm confident now. I've been on a nice run, and hopefully I can continue to keep doing that."

Praise for Wakefield's effort was noteworthy.

"I think that's actually the best I've ever seen Wake pitch," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "He worked quick, we got runs, then Youk hits the grand slam and spreads it out. He went out there and did exactly what you wanted him to do."

"I don't know about his best (start) ever, but he only gave up two hits, went seven, threw great," Millar said. "Wakefield is one of the most underrated pitchers in the big leagues. He's a low ERA guy, he's an innings eater, and I just think he did a remarkable job tonight."

The same could not be said for Wakefield's counterpart.

Liz (3-2) was reached for eight runs and six hits in just 2 1/3 innings, striking out two and walking three. The 25-year-old served up the consecutive homers by Drew and Ramirez in the first and completely unraveled two innings later.

After striking out rookie Jacoby Ellsbury to start the third, Liz allowed a single by All-Star Dustin Pedroia before loading the bases by walking one batter and hitting another. Mike Lowell drew another walk to force in a run and Youkilis belted a 3-1 offering for the grand slam.

Pedroia added a two-run double in the inning, Boston's second seven-run frame of the homestand.

"This one was a blowout," said Orioles manager Dave Trembley, who was ejected in the seventh inning for arguing balls and strikes. "We got behind early and Wakefield was on. There wasn't much we could do about it. I feel bad that Liz didn't pitch good. I feel bad for him."