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Red Sox hope to leave Tampa tied for first

Sep 17, 2008 - 10:08 AM Boston (89-62) at Tampa Bay (89-60) 7:10 p.m. EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- The Tampa Bay Rays refuse to relent first place.

The Boston Red Sox will seek to leave Tropicana Field with a share of the American League East lead when the teams meet on Wednesday.

The Red Sox pulled into a tie for first on Monday with a 13-5 victory, but failed to build on the momentum on Tuesday, falling 2-1 when Dioner Navarro drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth. More than 30,000 attended the Rays' win. Tampa is 19-1 when playing at home in front of crowds over 30,000.

The Rays have held at least a share of first place in the East since the day after the All-Star break, as they attempt to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

While both teams would prefer to win the division, both will likely make the playoffs either way, as Boston leads the Minnesota Twins (82-69) by seven games for the wild card.

Tim Wakefield (9-10, 3.92 ERA) will get the start from the Red Sox, looking to match his best outing of the season. The veteran knuckleballer tossed eight scoreless innings against Toronto on Friday, allowing three hits and no walks while striking out four.

Wakefield is historically strong against the Rays, owning a 19-4 record with a 3.10 ERA in 40 games, 30 starts, including 9-2 at Tropicana Field. But both of the righthander's setbacks here have come in the last calendar year, as he has allowed a combined 10 runs in his last 18 innings at Tropicana.

Tampa Bay will counter with righthander Matt Garza (11-9, 3.60). The 24-year-old dominated Boston here on July 1, allowing an unearned run and five hits in seven frames while striking out three.